CPSC Issues Graco Crib Recall and Simplicity Crib Recall

Nearly 100 reports of problems with Graco drop-side cribs manufactured by LaJobi, Inc. have led the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to issue a recall for about 217,000 cribs that contain hardware on the drop side that may break or fail, posing a risk of infant entrapment and suffocation. In addition, thousands of other cribs manufactured by the now defunct Simplicity, Inc. have been recalled after a one-year old died when the crib’s metal mattress-support frame failed.

The Graco drop side crib recall was issued Thursday for wood cribs sold throughout the United States from February 2007 through March 2010. The CPSC and the crib’s manufacturer, LaJobi, Inc., have received a total of 99 reports of problems with the Graco cribs where hardware has broken, causing the drop side to detach from the crib. This could create a dangerous gap between the drop side and the mattress where a toddler or infant may become stuck and suffocate or strangle themselves. In addition, children may fall from the cribs where the drop side detaches or fails to lock.

The CPSC and LaJobi are aware of at least two cases with the Graco drop side cribs where children became entrapped and were saved by their caregivers. Another six reports have been received involving children who fell from the crib, including at least one reported head injury.

The recalled Graco cribs include the following models: Ashleigh Drop Side; Hampton Drop Side; Jason Convertible Drop Side; Kendal Drop Side; Lauren Drop Side; Rachel Convertible Drop Side; Sarah Drop Side; Shannon Drop Side; and Tifton Drop Side.

The same day as the Graco crib recall, the CPSC announced the recall of all Simplicity full-size cribs, including both drop side and fixed-side cribs, that contain a tubular metal mattress-support frame. At least one child has died and the CPSC is aware of at least 13 other incidents where the Simplicity cribs collapsed due to the metal mattress support frame bending or detaching.

Simplicity, Inc. went out of business several years ago following the recall of millions of their drop side cribs that were linked to infant deaths and injuries. Therefore, the CPSC has limited information about the number of cribs sold with the defective metal mattress support frame.

Although all Simplicity drop-side cribs were previously recalled due to problems with the drop side, many of these recalled cribs may still be in use by parents who are unaware of the problems or those who received a repair kit to convert the cribs to fixed-side cribs while Simplicity was still in business.

The CPSC has urged parents and caregivers to immediately stop using the recalled cribs and to find an alternative, safe sleeping environment for infants and toddlers who were using any of these cribs.