Simplicity Baby Crib Recall!

[notyard]

Consumer Product Safety Commission recall on 1 million Simplicity cribs--three deaths!


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 21, 2007
Release #07-307 Simplicity’s Recall Hotline: (888) 593-9274
CPSC Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908
Simplicity Media Contact: (713) 301-0733


About 1 Million Simplicity Cribs Recalled Due To Failures Resulting in Infant Deaths
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is announcing today a voluntary recall with Simplicity Inc., of Reading, Pa., of about 1 million cribs. The drop-side can detach from the crib, which can create a dangerous gap and lead to the entrapment and suffocation of infants. CPSC is aware of two deaths in Simplicity manufactured cribs with older style hardware, including a 9-month-old child and a 6-month-old child, where the drop-side was installed upside down. CPSC is also aware of seven infant entrapments and 55 incidents in these cribs.

CPSC is also investigating the death of a 1-year-old child in a Simplicity crib with newer style hardware, in which the drop-side was installed upside down. CPSC is warning parents and caregivers to check all Simplicity cribs to make sure the drop-side is installed right side up.

The drop-side failures result from both the hardware and crib design, which allow consumers to unintentionally install the drop-side upside down. This, in turn, can weaken the hardware and cause the drop-side to detach from the crib. When the drop-side detaches, it creates a gap in which infants can become entrapped.

CPSC is also aware of two incidents that occurred when the drop-side was correctly installed with older style hardware, though the upside down installation greatly increases the risk of failure.

The recalled Simplicity crib models include: Aspen 3 in 1, Aspen 4 in 1, Nursery-in-a-Box, Crib N Changer Combo, Chelsea and Pooh 4 in 1. The recall also involves the following Simplicity cribs that used the Graco logo: Aspen 3 in 1, Ultra 3 in 1, Ultra 4 in1, Ultra 5 in 1, Whitney and the Trio.

The recalled cribs have one of the following model numbers, which can be found on the envelope attached to the mattress support and on the label attached to the headboard: 4600, 4605, 4705, 5000, 8000, 8324, 8800, 8740, 8910, 8994, 8050, 8750, 8760, and 8996.

The cribs, which were made in China, were sold in department stores, children’s stores and mass merchandisers nationwide from January 1998 through May 2007 for between $100 and $300.

As an immediate precaution, consumers should check to see if the drop-side is installed right side up. To do this, check to see that the slightly rounded rail with the decorative groove is installed at the top and the plain rail is on the bottom. Next, consumers should make sure the drop-side is securely attached to the tracks in all four corners.



Close-up of a Correctly Installed Drop-side
Close-up of an Incorrectly Installed Drop-side

If the drop-side is installed upside down or not securely attached, consumers should stop using the crib immediately. Incorrect installation can cause permanent damage to the hardware and re-installing the drop-side using the same hardware is unsafe.

Consumers should check to see if their crib contains the recalled hardware. Recalled hardware has a flexible tab at the bottom of the lower tracks and the top of the lower tracks are open. Newer hardware, which is not subject to the recall, has the flexible tab located at the top of the lower track, and a permanent stop at the bottom.



Photo of Older Style Hardware
Photo of Newer Style Hardware

Consumers who have a crib with older style hardware can receive a free repair by immediately contacting Simplicity toll-free at (888) 593-9274 between 8:30 a.m. and 10 p.m. ET Monday through Thursday, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET on Friday, and between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET on Saturday, or by visiting the firm’s Web site at www.simplicityforchildren.com

Consumers who have a crib with newer style hardware and have installed the drop-side upside down or have broken hardware, should also contact Simplicity immediately.





Consumer Action Guide
Style of Crib Hardware Consumer Response
Older Hardware Recalled: Consumers should contact Simplicity immediately for a free repair.
Newer Hardware Warning: Consumers should check crib’s drop-side to ensure it is assembled right side up and inspect for broken hardware.

[notyard]

Uggh! This recall affects the crib I just gave to my brother and his wife for their little one due in a couple of weeks. My toddler never would sleep in it anyway--now I'm grateful! Time to call for new hardware ASAP, before they move into their house and need to assemble the thing.... :(

[Carly's Mommy]

We have a Simplicity crib, but luckily it's not one with the drop down side.

We had so many problems with that stupid company anyways. Their customer service is horrible and they never returned my phone calls. Long story - crib arrived beaten up and damaged and all of the replacement parts they sent were either beaten up worse with paint scraped gouged out of the wood or the finish didn't match at all or the holes didn't line up so it couldn't be put together. We ended up having to get some wood filler to put in the gouges and sand it down and then get some matching (or close to it) paint to fix it ourselves since time was closing in. Not what you expect when you pay around $300 for a crib!

[notyard]

The US CPSC issued an updated press release on the crib repair kits--seems that they won't be modifying them to the newer drop side brackets--instead they will send hardware to immobolize the drop side, making it permanently fixed instead. Also, they plan to send a reply card, that if you fill it out saying you've completed the repair, they will send you a rebate coupon for future purchases as an incentive. I don't think I have that much faith in them to buy more of their stuff....

NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 25, 2007
Release #08-043 Simplicity’s Recall Hotline: (888) 593-9274
Simplicity’s Help Line: (800) 858-8323
CPSC Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908
Simplicity Media Contact: (713) 301-0733


Repair Kits Ready To Be Sent To Parents and Caregivers With Recalled Simplicity Cribs
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), in cooperation with Simplicity Inc., of Reading, Pa., is announcing today that a remedy is now available for parents and caregivers who were impacted by the September 21, 2007, voluntary recall of about 1 million Simplicity and Graco logo cribs with older hardware. Simplicity will provide consumers with a repair kit that immobilizes the drop-side. After an intensive effort to develop a repair that would allow safe use of the drop-side, CPSC staff and Simplicity have determined that the safest repair option is to immobilize the drop-side. This repair program will be monitored by CPSC staff and is intended to reduce the risk of death or serious injury to infants.

The free repair kit will be sent to crib owners who have pre-registered or who register now on Simplicity’s Web site (www.simplicityforchildren.com) or through Simplicity’s hotline at (888) 593-9274. In addition, consumers will be offered a rebate coupon for a future purchase as an incentive to return a reply card indicating that they have successfully installed the repair hardware.

Simplicity will also have live operators available at (800) 858-8323 to provide technical assistance to consumers and will make a video version of the assembly instructions available at www.simplicityforchildren.com.

Consumers who, due to the condition of their crib, believe they are unable to take advantage of the repair kit should immediately call Simplicity at (800) 858-8323 to address their concern.

The hazard with the recalled crib is that the drop-side can detach, which creates a dangerous gap and can lead to the entrapment and suffocation of infants. CPSC and Simplicity are aware of three deaths in Simplicity manufactured cribs with older style hardware, as well as seven infant entrapments and 56 incidents with these cribs.

The Simplicity crib models with recalled hardware include: Aspen 3 in 1, Aspen 4 in 1, Nursery-in-a-Box, Crib N Changer Combo, Chelsea and Pooh 4 in 1. The recall also involves the following Simplicity cribs that used the Graco logo: Aspen 3 in 1, Ultra 3 in 1, Ultra 4 in 1, Ultra 5 in 1, Whitney and the Trio.

To determine what type of hardware is on their crib, all Simplicity consumers should call the Simplicity hotline, visit www.simplicityforchildren.com, or refer to the hardware photos in the press release.





Photo of Older Style Hardware
Photo of Newer Style Hardware

WARNING: DO NOT use the repair kit on a crib that has not been recalled.


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[mood4amelody]

We used port-a-cribs after losing a son to a problem with a regular baby bed. The wood used on the sides slates was defective. Yup, just a plain ole piece of bad wood. He kicked out the slat in the night and made it all the way through except for his one little arm and his head, and he suffocated there.

It was a Smith Co (owned by Cosco) crib, but for my next kids we used only port-a-cribs. No rails, slats, knobs, etc.

I don't want to bring anyone down, or anything like that, I just have to say something anytime I hear "crib". I just think that if I tell other people what happened, then maybe someone else will never know what I know. 20 years and it still can make you cry.

This was all a long time ago, and I definately don't want to seem like a drama queen, so please don't apologize or anything like that, okay? Just use the knowledge, please.

[cath_31]

We used port-a-cribs after losing a son to a problem with a regular baby bed. The wood used on the sides slates was defective. Yup, just a plain ole piece of bad wood. He kicked out the slat in the night and made it all the way through except for his one little arm and his head, and he suffocated there.

It was a Smith Co (owned by Cosco) crib, but for my next kids we used only port-a-cribs. No rails, slats, knobs, etc.

I don't want to bring anyone down, or anything like that, I just have to say something anytime I hear "crib". I just think that if I tell other people what happened, then maybe someone else will never know what I know. 20 years and it still can make you cry.

This was all a long time ago, and I definately don't want to seem like a drama queen, so please don't apologize or anything like that, okay? Just use the knowledge, please.

I know that you said you didn't really want any comments on your post or anything, but I feel that it would not be right to simply ignore what you have said. So I will just say what alot of us in this forum that read this are thinking: We are very sorry that you had to go through that- that is horrible. I am going to check with my friend about what crib she has because of your post to make sure it is not on the recall list. Thanks for sharing your story.