If you are using a Simplicity drop side crib STOP using it now and continue reading.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced the recall of one million Simplicity (this company appears to no longer conduct day to day operations.) and Graco cribs after three children died of suffocation. The deaths occurred because the crib’s plastic hardware can break or deform, causing the drop side to detach. When the drop side detaches, it creates space between the drop side and the crib mattress. Infants and toddlers can roll into this space and become entrapped which can lead to suffocation.
CPSC is aware of one death involving an 8-month-old child from Houston, Texas who became entrapped and suffocated between the drop side and the crib mattress when a plastic connector on the drop side broke. The child’s death was previously reported by CPSC. CPSC also is aware of an additional 25 incidents involving the drop side detaching from the crib. In six of these incidents, the drop side detached because the plastic flexible tab deformed or broke. In four of the drop side detachment incidents, other plastic parts, including connectors or tracks, deformed or broke. In two of the incidents, two children became entrapped between the drop side and the crib mattress. There were no reported injuries.
Simplicity Inc.is listed as manufacturer of all the cribs but they were also sold under the Graco brand name. The recalled cribs, priced between $100 and $300, were sold by U.S. retailers and chains including Target Corp., Big Lots Inc, Babies “R” Us and family-owned Meijer Inc. under the Simplicity or Graco brands, from January 1998 through May 2007. In a separate recall in June, the commission recalled about 40,000 Nursery-in-a-Box cribs, manufactured by Simplicity, because the assembly instructions incorrectly explain how to attach the drop side.
The current recall involves multiple models and models numbers. This recall involves all drop side cribs with a different or “newer” style of plastic hardware from those cribs recalled in September 2007. This newer style of Simplicity hardware can be identified by a flexible plastic tab at the top of the lower tracks.
Recalled Simplicity crib models:
• Aspen 3 in 1
• Aspen 4 in 1
• Nursery-in-a-Box
• Crib N Changer Combo
• Chelsea
• Pooh 4 in 1
Recalled Graco crib models:
• Ultra 3 in 1
• Ultra 4 in 1
• Ultra 5 in 1
• Whitney
• Trio
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled cribs and find an alternative, safe sleeping environment for their baby. Consumers should immediately return the crib to the place of purchase for a refund, replacement or store credit.
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
