Bassettbaby Drop Side Crib Recall Issued Due to Risk of Hardware Problems

About 90,000 Bassettbaby drop-side cribs have been recalled due to a growing number of reports that the drop sides may detach or break, which can create a dangerous gap in which the baby may become entrapped and suffocate. The recall comes amid increasing pressure to remove all drop-side cribs from the market. 

The Bassettbaby crib recall was announced on November 22 by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) after Bassett Furniture Industries, the manufacturer, and the commission received 18 reports of the drop sides detaching or malfunctioning. One case resulted in an infant becoming trapped between the mattress and the drop-side, and three incidents led to babies falling out of their cribs.

Bassett reports that the company has received a total of 154 reports of the drop-side hardware breaking during either shipment, when the cribs were assembled, or while in use. There were no reports of injuries.

The recall affects all Bassettbaby drop-side cribs with external plastic hardware. The cribs are made of wood and have metal mattress supports and a drop-side with external plastic hardware. The cribs have a label attached to either the footboard or headboard with the names “Bassettbaby” or “Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc.” and the model number, as well as production date.

The recalled drop-side cribs were sold at children’s product stores and other retailers nationwide, as well as online, for between about $200 and $500 from January 2000 through August 2010.

Cribs are a leading cause of nursery-product related deaths, with the CPSC aware of more than 30 crib-related deaths and hundreds of injuries. According to the safety agency, about one-third of the deaths result from structural failures of the crib, and a majority of the deaths are attributed to the presence of extra bedding in the crib.

Drop-side cribs pose a particular safety risk, with millions of the cribs being recalled in recent years. Problems with the designs of many drop-side cribs may allow moving parts to become loose or fall out, creating a gap that can trap or suffocate the infant.

The CPSC recommends that consumers immediately stop using the recalled cribs and find alternate sleeping arrangements for any infants using them. Bassettbaby is offering a free kit that will immobilize the drop side. Consumers can contact Bassettbaby at the firm’s website at www.bassettbaby.com.