Vol. X, No. 1, Jan-March 2011
Safety Recall of Drop-Side Baby Cribs
Drop-side cribs will soon be obsolete because of a ban by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Starting in June, crib manufacturers will no longer be able to make or sell drop-side cribs, which allow one side to be raised or lowered on tracks so that caregivers and parents can have more easy access to their babies.
Babies can suffocate or be strangled when a side detaches and creates a gap. Drop-side rails were associated with 32 suffocations and strangulation deaths since 2000. The new standard requiring cribs to have fixed sides will take place in June 2011. Child care centers will have one year to purchase new replacement cribs to be in compliance with the new regulation.