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STORK CRAFT DROP SIDE CRIBS
In the largest crib recall in U.S. history, more than 2.1 million drop-side cribs made by Stork Craft Manufacturing are being recalled. Unfortunately, the recall is too late for some families. At least four infants were suffocated and died. The recall affects cribs made as far back as 1993, and includes the U.S. and Canada. Parents should stop using the cribs immediately.
The cribs' drop-side plastic hardware can break, deform, or parts can become missing. In addition, the drop-side can be installed upside-down, which can result in broken or disengaged plastic parts. All of these problems can cause the drop-side to detach in one or more corners. When the drop-side detaches, it creates space between the drop-side and the crib mattress. The bodies of infants and toddlers can become entrapped in the space which can lead to suffocation. Complete detachment of drop-sides can lead to falls from the crib.
Reports include 110 incidents of drop-side detachment; 67 incidents occurred in the United States and 43 in Canada. The incidents include 15 entrapments; 12 in the U.S. and three in Canada. Four of the entrapments resulted in suffocation: a 7-month-old in Gouverneur, N.Y.; a 7-month-old in New Iberia, La.; a 6-month-old in Summersville, W.Va.; and a 9-month-old in Bronx, N.Y. Included in these incidents are 20 falls from cribs; 12 in the U.S. and eight in Canada. Fall injuries ranged from concussion to bumps and bruises. The cribs involved in these incidents had plastic drop-side hardware that had broken, missing, or deformed claws, connectors, tracks, or flexible tab stops; loose or missing metal spring clips; stripped screws; and/or drop-sides installed upside-down.
The recall involves Stork Craft drop-side cribs and Stork Craft drop-side cribs with the Fisher-Price logo. It does not involve any cribs with metal rod drop-side hardware. It involves only those cribs with plastic trigger and one-hand-system drop-side hardware.
Identifying cribs included in the recall:
- Stork Craft cribs with manufacturing and distribution dates between January 1993 and October 2009.
- Stork Craft cribs with the Fisher-Price logo that have manufacturing dates between October 1997 and December 2004.
- The manufacture date, model number, crib name, country of origin, and the company's name, address, and contact information are located on the assembly instruction sheet attached to the mattress support board.
- The company's insignia "Stork Craft baby" or "storkling" is inscribed on the drop-side teething rail of some cribs.
- In Stork Craft cribs that contain the "Fisher-Price" logo, this logo can be found on the crib's teething rail, in the manufacturer's instructions, on the assembly instruction sheet attached to the mattress support board, and on the end panels of the Twinkle-Twinkle and Crystal crib models.
Major retailers in the United States and Canada sold the recalled cribs including BJ's Wholesale Club, J.C. Penney, Kmart, Meijer, Sears, USA Baby, and Wal Mart stores and online at Amazon.com, BabiesRus.com, Costco.com, Target.com, and Walmart.com from January 1993 through October 2009 for between $100 and $400. With the cribs having been on the market for so long, consumers could have purchased one from flea markets, garage sales, or received one handed down from a family member.
It is imperative that consumers stop using any drop-side crib immediately for your child's safety until you determine if your crib is defective.
Consumer advocates have complained for years about drop-side cribs. More than 5 million of them have been recalled over the past two years alone - recalls that were associated with the deaths of a dozen young children.
With any crib it is important to note the following rules which are recommended by the Consumer Product Safety Commission:
- To prevent suffocation, never place pillows or thick quilts in a baby's sleep environment. Also, make sure there are no gaps larger than two fingers between the sides of the crib and the mattress.
- Alwaysplace your child on his or her back, not stomach, when you put them down for sleep.
- Use a firm, tight-fitting mattress. Do not use an air mattress for your baby.
- Proper assembly of cribs is paramount. Follow the instructions provided and make sure that every part is installed correctly. If you are not sure, call the manufacturer for assistance.
- Do not use old, broken or modified cribs. Infants can strangle to death if their bodies pass through gaps between loose components or broken slats while their heads remain entrapped.
- Properly set up play yards according to manufacturers' directions. Only use the mattress pad provided with the play yard; do not add extra padding.
- Never place a crib near a window with blind or curtain cords. Babies can strangle on curtain or blind cords.
Past crib recall information:
- Simplicity Drop Side Cribs Recalled by Retailers Due to Risk of Death from Suffocation
- LaJobi Recalls Babi Italia Pinehurst and Bonavita Hudson Drop Side Cribs; Risk of Entrapment and Suffocation
- LaJobi Recalls Bonavita "Cabana" Drop Side Cribs Due To Entrapment and Strangulation Hazards
- Jardine Announces Second Recall Expansion of Cribs Sold by Babies'R'Us; Cribs Pose Entrapment and Strangulation Hazards
- SunKids Convertible Cribs Recalled by Suntech Enterprises Due to Entrapment and Suffocation Hazards (April 2, 2009)
- Stork Craft Recalls More Than 500,000 Cribs; Mattress Support Bracket Failures Create Risk of Entrapment and Suffocation (January 13, 2009)
- Jardine Expands Recall of Cribs Sold by Babies"R"Us; Cribs Pose Entrapment and Strangulation Hazards (January 6, 2009)
- Munire Recalls "Newport Rubbed Black" Cribs and Matching Furniture Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard (December 23, 2008)
- Infant Death Prompts Recall to Repair 985,000 Delta Enterprise Drop Side Cribs; Missing Safety Pegs Can Cause Entrapment and Suffocation Hazards (October 21, 2008)
- Infant Death Prompts Recall To Repair 600,000 Drop Side Cribs By Delta Enterprise; Spring Peg Failure Can Cause Entrapment and Suffocation Hazards (October 21, 2008)
- Infant Death Prompts Recall of Convertible Cribs by Playkids USA; Crib Poses Entrapment and Suffocation Hazards (October 16, 2008)
- Simplicity Brand Drop Side Cribs Recalled By Various Retailers Due To Serious Entrapment And Suffocation Hazard To Infants and Toddlers (September 17, 2008)
- Baby Appleseed Recalls Cribs Due to Fall Hazard (August 5, 2008)
- Mother Hubbard's Cupboards Recalls Cribs Due to Fall Hazard (August 5, 2008)
- Stanley Furniture Recalls Cribs Due to Entrapment Hazard (June 26, 2008)
- Jardine Cribs Sold by Babies"R"Us Recalled Due to Entrapment and Strangulation Hazard (June 24, 2008)
- Bassettbaby Cribs Recalled Due to Entrapment Hazard; Sold Exclusively at Babies "R" Us (June 5, 2008)
- Munire Furniture Recalls Cribs Due to Fall Hazard (February 28, 2008)
- Bassettbaby Drop-Side Cribs Recalled Due to Entrapment and Strangulation Hazard (February 14, 2008)
- Cribs Sold By Bassettbaby Recalled Due to Entrapment and Strangulation Hazard: Sold Exclusively at Babies R Us (November 8, 2007)
- About 1 Million Simplicity Cribs Recalled Due To Failures Resulting in Infant Deaths (September 21, 2007)
- NettoCollection Recalls Cribs Due to Entrapment and Strangulation Hazard (September 4, 2007)
- CPSC, Stokke Announce Recall of Sleepi Crib Foam Mattresses Due to Entrapment Hazard (August 23, 2007)
- Simplicity Recalls Cribs Due to Fall, Entrapment and Choking Hazards (June 6, 2007)
- Song Lin Industrial Inc. Recalls Cribs Due to Fall Hazard (May 31, 2007)
If your child was injured by a defective product, you have valuable legal rights. Please fill out our online form, or call us toll free at 1-888-839-3775 to discuss your rights with one of the experienced consumer protection attorneys at our firm.
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Evers & Preston, PL
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Pensacola, FL 32502-4711
Telephone: 1-850-444-9500 | Toll Free: 1-888-839-3775
