Crib Recall: 2.1 Million Drop-Side Cribs Deemed Unsafe

A doll is shown trapped in a drop-side crib in this nightmare-inducing handout photo from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. More than 2.1 million drop-side cribs have been recalled in Canada and the United States after more than 100 cases of injuries, including four deaths, were reported.

Yet another scary recall to strike fear in parents’ hearts:  The Consumer Product Safety Commission today announced the recall of 2.1 million Stork Craft drop-side cribs, citing defective hardware that have caused toddlers and infants to suffocate — four of whom have died.

Yikes.

About 1.2 million of the cribs have been distributed in the United States and 968,000 units distributed in Canada, some of which bear the Fisher-Price logo.

The cribs were sold at major retailers including Sears and Wal-Mart and online at Amazon.com and Target.com between January 1993 and October 2009.

Here’s the problem with them:  The cribs’ drop-side, which is attached with plastic hardware, can detach unexpectedly and create a space between the crib wall and the adjacent mattress. Infants and toddlers can become trapped in the space and suffocate or fall to the floor, the agency said.

There have been 110 documented incidents of drop-side detachment, including 67 in the United States and 43 in Canada. Among those, four resulted in suffocation and 20 resulted in falls that caused injuries ranging from concussion to bumps and bruises.

This has NOT been a stellar year for Stork Craft; in January, about 535,000 other cribs were recalled amid safety concerns.  Perhaps like the Stork should stick to dropping off babies and stop making them cribs.

For additional information, contact Stork Craft toll-free at (877) 274-0277 anytime to order the free repair kit, or log on to www.storkcraft.com.