 Close-up of a Correctly Installed Drop-side |  Close-up of an Incorrectly Installed Drop-side |
| Office of Information and Public Affairs | Washington, DC 20207 |
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Originally issued September 21, 2007 Revised October 22, 2008 Release #07-307 |
Firm’s Recall Hotline: (800) 858-8323 CPSC Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908 Simplicity Media Contact: (713) 301-0733 |
Note: Revised Firm Telephone Contact Number
ALSO NOTE: Consumers who have participated or have yet to respond to Simplicity’s June 2007 recall of Nursery-in-a-Box cribs are strongly urged to also participate in this recall.
AND ADDITIONALLY: A subsequent recall involving Simplicity drop side cribs has been issued.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is announcing today a voluntary recall with Simplicity Inc., of Reading, Pa., of about 1 million cribs. The drop-side can detach from the crib, which can create a dangerous gap and lead to the entrapment and suffocation of infants. CPSC is aware of two deaths in Simplicity manufactured cribs with older style hardware, including a 9-month-old child and a 6-month-old child, where the drop-side was installed upside down. CPSC is also aware of seven infant entrapments and 55 incidents in these cribs.
CPSC is also investigating the death of a 1-year-old child in a Simplicity crib with newer style hardware, in which the drop-side was installed upside down. CPSC is warning parents and caregivers to check all Simplicity cribs to make sure the drop-side is installed right side up.
The drop-side failures result from both the hardware and crib design, which allow consumers to unintentionally install the drop-side upside down. This, in turn, can weaken the hardware and cause the drop-side to detach from the crib. When the drop-side detaches, it creates a gap in which infants can become entrapped.
CPSC is also aware of two incidents that occurred when the drop-side was correctly installed with older style hardware, though the upside down installation greatly increases the risk of failure.
The recalled Simplicity crib models include: Aspen 3 in 1, Aspen 4 in 1, Nursery-in-a-Box, Crib N Changer Combo, Chelsea and Pooh 4 in 1. The recall also involves the following Simplicity cribs that used the Graco logo: Aspen 3 in 1, Ultra 3 in 1, Ultra 4 in1, Ultra 5 in 1, Whitney and the Trio.
The recalled cribs have one of the following model numbers, which can be found on the envelope attached to the mattress support and on the label attached to the headboard: 4600, 4605, 4705, 5000, 8000, 8324, 8800, 8740, 8910, 8994, 8050, 8750, 8760, and 8996.
The cribs, which were made in China, were sold in department stores, children’s stores and mass merchandisers nationwide from January 1998 through May 2007 for between $100 and $300.
As an immediate precaution, consumers should check to see if the drop-side is installed right side up. To do this, check to see that the slightly rounded rail with the decorative groove is installed at the top and the plain rail is on the bottom. Next, consumers should make sure the drop-side is securely attached to the tracks in all four corners.
| Close-up of a Correctly Installed Drop-side | Close-up of an Incorrectly Installed Drop-side |
If the drop-side is installed upside down or not securely attached, consumers should stop using the crib immediately. Incorrect installation can cause permanent damage to the hardware and re-installing the drop-side using the same hardware is unsafe.
Consumers should check to see if their crib contains the recalled hardware. Recalled hardware has a flexible tab at the bottom of the lower tracks and the top of the lower tracks are open. Newer hardware, which is not subject to the recall, has the flexible tab located at the top of the lower track, and a permanent stop at the bottom.
 Photo of Older Style Hardware |  Photo of Newer Style Hardware |
Consumers who have a crib with older style hardware can receive a free repair by immediately contacting the firm toll-free at (800) 858-8323 between 8:30 a.m. and 10 p.m. ET Monday through Thursday, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET on Friday, and between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET on Saturday, or by visiting the firm’s Web site at www.simplicityforchildren.com
Consumers who have a crib with newer style hardware and have installed the drop-side upside down or have broken hardware, should also contact Simplicity immediately.
| Style of Crib Hardware | Consumer Response |
|---|---|
| Older Hardware | Recalled: Consumers should contact Simplicity immediately for a free repair. |
| Newer Hardware | Warning: Consumers should check crib’s drop-side to ensure it is assembled right side up and inspect for broken hardware. |
Consumers can also view a video clip (transcript) about this recall. This is in "streaming video" format.
Video News Release for Media Use: The above video is also available in broadcast quality on Pathfire DMG: 26927. Search within the PR Newswire or MultiVu section by story ID # 26927 or by headline. For technical assistance call Pathfire Customer Care at 1-888-345-0489 or e-mail support@pathfire.com.