More than one month after announcing the largest recall in its history of one million full-size cribs, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), today announced an official “fix” for the problem cribs.
The cribs were made by Simplicity between 1998 and 2007 and also carry the Simplicity-made Graco brand name.
A design flaw has resulted in the deaths of three children who became entrapped when a drop-rail was installed upside down, separated from the crib and leaving a gap the child can fall into and suffocate. The CPSC reports that the design flaw has also entrapped seven children and resulted in more than 50 “incidents” reported to the CPSC.
Approximately one million cribs were constructed with this drop rail. Some are likely still in circulation in the resale market such as garage sales. The cribs were made in China and sold at department and discount stores from January 1998 through May 2007 for between $100 and $300.
A Month of Confusion for Consumers
In cooperation with Simplicity Inc., of Reading, Pa., the company will provide consumers with a repair kit that immobilizes the drop-side. This is considered the “fix” that is approved by the CPSC.
But after the initial recall on September, 21, Simplicity offered consumers new hardware and a drop side replacement track kit free as a “repair” to the problem cribs. That information appears on the CPSC’s own web site.
However, Julie Vallese of CPSC told IB News that media reports have gotten it wrong.
“Consumers should have been told the hardware they’re provided is not a “fix” to the problem,” she said encouraging parents to find an “alternative sleeping environment for a child until a permanent solution is in place.”
On October 25, the CPSC announced the recognized “approved” fix. The new repair kits should only be used on cribs that were recalled.
The following Simplicity crib models have been recalled:
- Aspen 3 in 1
- Aspen 4 in 1
- Nursery-in-a-Box
- Crib N Changer Combo
- Chelsea and Pooh 4 in 1
The following Simplicity cribs that have the Graco logo are also included in this recall:
- Aspen 3 in 1
- Ultra 3 in 1
- Ultra 4 in1
- Ultra 5 in 1
- Whitney
- Trio
The products in question may have one of these model numbers:
4600, 4605, 4705, 5000, 8000, 8324, 8800, 8740, 8910, 8994, 8050, 8750, 8760, and 8996
(These numbers are written on the envelope attached to the mattress support and on the label attached to the headboard)
Simplicity Recall Hotline Number: 1-888-593-9274 /
Simplicity Live Operator: 1-800 858-8323
Simplicity: http://www.simplicityforchildren.com/
CPSC: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml07/07307.html