The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a recall this morning that includes 600,000 Simplicity cribs made in China. The problem with the crib stems from the drop down side which, due to shoddy hardware manufacture, may detach from its tracks, forming a potentially deadly gap in which an infant or toddler might get caught and suffocate.
Retailers Involved In the Crib Recall
In addition to the importer Simplicity Inc., which is no longer in business, the Simplicity crib recall includes K’s Merchandise (also out of business), Dallas’ AAFES (800-866-3605), Babies “R” Us (800-869-7787) of Wayne and Burlington Coat Factory/Baby Depot of Burlington, NJ, Grand Rapids’ Meijer Distribution Inc. (866-280-8419), Omaha’s Nebraska Furniture Mart (800-359-1200), Green Bay’s ShopKo (800-791-7333), Minneapolis’ Target (800-440-0680), and Bentonville’s Wal-Mart Stores (800-925-6278).
Recalled Baby Crib Codes
The model numbers of the recalled Simplicity baby cribs are 8620, 8745, 8748, 8755, 8756, 8778, 8810, and 8994. Pair this code with the manufacturer’s code which consists of four numbers and two letters. The codes involved end in 05DH, 05GB, 06DH, 06GB, 07DH or 07GB.
Simplicity Cribs in the News
Reuters alerts consumers that this is the second recall involving Simplicity in recent history, when 900,000 Simplicity bassinets were recalled in the wake of two deaths.
2008 Crib Recalls
Perusing the CPSC history of recalls tells a chilling story. On 08-05 the agency recalled 500 Baby Appleseed cribs (sold as Davenport Cribs) manufactured in Vietnam and imported by Baby Appleseed of California. Although no injuries were reported, the CPSC notes a failure to adhere to the minimum height requirement as grounds for the recall.
On the same day, Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard recalled 1,300 of its cribs for the same reason. Manufactured in Canada, these high end cribs retailed for more than $500.
06-26 saw the recall of 1,200 2nd Nature Built to Grow infant cribs manufactured by the Stanley Furniture Company. Manufactured in Slovenia, these cribs sold for more than $1,100 and in spite of this rather steep price tag there still is the chance that an infant’s head might get caught between the mattress and the crib itself, leading to suffocation.
Two days earlier the CPSC recalled 320,000 Taiwan made Jardine cribs. The problem arose from slats which broke too easily, injuring at least two of 42 children.
On 06-05 the Consumer Product Safety Commission recalled 550 Wendy Bellissimo Hidden Hills Collection Cribs manufactured in China. The space between the spindles failed to meet regulations, making it possible for a child to become trapped in between them.
24,000 cribs imported by Munire Furniture in New Jersey were recalled on 02-28. Manufactured in Indonesia, the height requirements were not met.
18 Wendy Bellissimo Hidden Hills Collection Drop-Side Cribs started out the 2008 infant crib recall. Loosening of the spindles was the main complaint.
Caveat Emptor!
Even a cursory glance over this list reveals that it does not matter how much money you spent on your crib, where it was manufactured, who sold it, what shape it is, and to which socioeconomic group you belong: your little angel could be at risk! Shoddy manufacture, failure to meet governmental guidelines and substandard material use may be found in any and all cribs, and it is up to the parent to regularly check the hardware, wiggle the spindles, and keep a vigilant eye on your baby’s crib.
Before you put junior down for his nap today, please, check your baby’s crib. It does not matter if it is involved in a recall or not, don’t take the manufacturer’s word for it. My offspring’s crib features a “certified” label; unfortunately, the label is attached to a Simplicity crib. Need I say more?
Let the buyer – and parent – beware!
Sources:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08401.html
http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSSP36172920080917
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08351.html
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08314.html
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08312.html
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08581.html
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08202.html
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08544.html
