On Oct. 22, 2010, a number of crib manufactures, including Ethan Allen, Albee Baby, Angel Line and Alexander Designs, voluntarily recalled nearly 40,000 of their drop-side cribs. The recalls were issued on safety concerns following six confirmed infant injuries. This recent recall comes on the same day that the United States Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) announced its new Safe Sleep for Babies initiative.
The CPSC and some community partners, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, created its Baby Sleep Safe campaign to educate new and expectant parents about the crib safety and other risks. The campaign offers written materials as well as a video that is accessible online and through a network of hospitals across the country.
Drop-Side Cribs Have Been Recalled Numerous Times Since 2005
Since 2005, the CPSC has issued a number of recalls which included more than 9 million drop-side cribs since 2005. In the United States, drop-side cribs have been linked to or suspected to be linked to approximately 50 infant fatalities in the last decade. While one-third of the reported infant deaths are linked to structural failures of the cribs, the majority of the deaths are attributable to extra bedding, such as pillows and comforters, in the crib.
Federal laws and regulations have focused on consumer protection for decades. All products, not just cribs, are affected. Many consumers have heard of the massive car recalls requested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Commission. Few realize, however, that everything from toys, lamps, and even instruments get recalled by the CPSC. Any defective or dangerous product, which could affect the health or safety of a consumer, may be recalled.
Drop-side cribs have been around for decades, but the risks of entrapment, strangulation, suffocation and other injuries have been an increasing concern. While the new standards will not take effect until next year, this CPSC campaign is a multi-faceted educational effort, along with the National Institute of Health's program with a similar name, to increase awareness about unsafe sleep environments for babies and to reduce the risk of infant death.
