600,000 Simplicity Brand Cribs Recalled by the CPSC

600,000 cribs were recalled today by the Simplicity brand, according to CPSC, the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The recall involves drop side cribs sold between 2005 and 2008. The notice said "Due to sizing problems with the crib's hardware, the drop side can come off the tracks. When the drop side detaches or partially detaches, it creates a hazardous gap, which can lead to infant entrapment and suffocation."

Consumers were instructed to stop using the crib immediately and find a safe sleeping environment for their babies. Customers can return the crib and receive a full refund. This recall of Simplicity cribs is different from the one in 2007 where the drop side could have been installed upside down causing the hardware to fatigue and subsequently break, causing a hazardous gap. Nearly one million cribs were recalled - the largest recall ever. In this new recall, according to the notice, no injuries have been reported, however the condition that results from the defect is the same that at least one infant death is blamed on.

Here are the cribs affected by this recall as quoted from the CPSC's website: Aspen and Crib-N-Changer Combo, Gabrielle, Camille, Providence and Shenandoah (model numbers 8620, 8745, 8748, 8755, 8756, 8778, 8810, and 8994). Recalled cribs also have a date code (on the headboard under the mattress support), ending in 05DH, 05GB, 06DH, 06GB, 07DH or 07GB (e.g., 1806 DH or 0507 GB). Only the brand name SIMPLICITY can be seen on the label on the headboard.

Target sent out mass e-mails to people who bought Simplicity brand cribs to inform them of the recall. Other stores have followed suit. The company "Simplicity" went out of business earlier this year, SFCA, Inc purchased the "Simplicity" brand name and is working with retails to ensure that all consumers are treated fairly during this recall. SFCA says that new cribs made by their company are not affected by the recall.

It is the retail stores who will be helping customers receive refunds. Normally, the CPSC works with the manufacturer to help consumers with exchanges. However, in this case, customers can actually contact the retail store where they purchased the crib. In its e-mail, Target assured customers that they will work with customers to ensure that they receive compensation as quickly as possible.

Stores that sold these cribs include Target, Babies R Us, WalMart and Baby Depot inside Burlington Coat Factory. Other stores are listed at the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's website. Consumers can call the CPSC Recall Hotline if you need further information: (800) 638-2772

Source: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08401.html