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About 1 million Simplicity Inc. cribs were recalled last week after federal regulators discovered a design and hardware flaw that may lead to incorrect installation of the drop rail. The defect has been linked to the deaths of three children.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, several of the company's best-selling models have a faulty drop rail that can detach and create a space where infants become entrapped and suffocate.

“We want parents to know. We do not want your child in that crib tonight,” said Scott Wolfson, CPSC spokesman.

Infant Deaths, Additional Incidents

Two of the deaths occurred when the drop rails in cribs with older style hardware were installed upside down. The two children were six and nine months old. A third death involving a one year old in a crib with newer hardware is also being investigated.

Even though the three deaths occurred in cribs where the drop rail was installed upside down, the CPSC warns that the poor design of the cribs can be dangerous even when the drop rail is properly installed.

“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,” said the agency.

The CPSC added that it has received more than 50 additional reports of Simplicity crib-related incidents and seven cases of infant entrapment.

The Recall

Cribs included in the recall are sold under the Simplicity and Graco brands at various retailers across the country including Wal-Mart and Target. The cribs, which cost between $100 and $300, were sold from January 1998 through May 2007.

Customers can contact Simplicity for a repair package (888-593-9724), and the CPSC is urging that owners of the cribs ensure that the drop rail is properly installed and securely attached.

The recall is the largest in U.S. history of full-size cribs and marks Simplicity's fourth in just over two years.

Nancy A. Cowles, executive director of the nonprofit group Kids in Danger, described the company's track record as “disturbing.”

“With a crib, there is no margin of error; you leave a child alone and it has to be safe,” she said.

(Source: The New York Times online)

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