Drop-side cribs are again the focus of the Consumer Product Safety Commission. In a new round of recalls, at least 82,000 cribs from the popular retailer, Pottery Barn Kids are being pulled from the market. The CPSC has proposed new rules that would completely ban the manufacture, sale and resale of drop-side cribs. These cribs are identified by their side rail that can be raised and lowered, and have been around for decades. Unfortunately, there are several instances in which the drop-side rail becomes partially detached, and create a dangerous “v”-like gap between the mattress and the side rail, where a baby can get caught and suffocate or strangle.
This current recall involves all Pottery Barn Kids drop-side cribs, regardless of the model number. Also, Pottery Barn Kids is offering some free hardware to demobilize the drop-side railing on the cribs. This type of crib has been blamed in at least 32 deaths of infants and toddlers since 2000, and is suspected in over a dozen more deaths. The CPSC agreed to develop a new standard to make cribs with four fixed sides mandatory, as well as proposed more stringent tests for cribs and the use of more durable materials. The chairman of CPSC noted, this will be first new crib standard in 28 years.
Ultimately, the total elimination of these types of cribs from our homes, stores, hotels, and day care centers is the goal. In the past five years, more than 9 million drop-side cribs have been recalled. If you believe you have one of these types of cribs, you should contact your manufacturer of the crib to determine if there is a replacement policy in place. Even if there is not one in place, we recommend you immediately stop using thus type of crib.