Product Liability Law Blog

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Baby Matters LLC are recalling 30,000 Nap Nanny® portable baby recliners because they pose fall, entrapment, and suffocation hazards. One baby, 4-months-old, reportedly died while in the recliner. She was in her harness but hanging over its side and stuck between the crib bumper and the recliner, which was in the crib. Another infant, who was also in the harness, suffered a forehead cut after falling over the side of the recliner. The baby ended up caught in between the crib side and the recliner. It is not recommended to use a Nap Nanny® inside a play yard, crib, another confined space, a countertop, a table, or any other space that is elevated.

To date, there have been 22 reports of infants, most of them under the age of 5 months, either falling out or hanging over the recliner’s crib while harnessed. Failure to properly attach the velcro straps inside the recliner’s cover or the “D”-rings inside the foam can make the recliner an even more serious hazard that can cause injuries to children. The first generation Nap Nanny® model did not come with “D” rings.

According to Forbes.com, Nap Nanny is designed to imitate the curves of a child safety seat. The recliner is supposed to keep the baby at a slightly raised level to decrease gas, reflux, stuffiness, and other issues.

Owners of first generation Nap Nanny® models should stop using the recliner right away and call Baby Matters LLC for a coupon. Second generation Nap Nanny® model should discontinue use of the recliner until they can get new warnings and product instructions from the company Web site.

Our child injury attorneys understand the devastation of losing a child because a product manufacturer was careless in designing a defective furniture product or did not provide proper instructions or warnings for safe use.

Baby Matters Recalls Nap Nanny® Recliners Due to Entrapment, Suffocation and Fall Hazards; One Infant Death Reported, CPSC, July 26, 2010

Nap Nanny recliners recalled, Forbes.com, July 26, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Nap Nanny

Consumer Reports

Continue reading "CPSC Recalls 30,000 Baby Recliners After Death of 4-Month-Old Girl" »

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Posted In: Cribs and Infant Sleepers , Entrapment Accidents , Fall Accidents , Infant Products , Injuries to Children & Minors , Nursery Products , Suffocation Accidents

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The Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced several recalls in the past week geared toward preventing serious injuries to children. The most recent one comes today with the recall of approximately 1,160,000 Roman shades and 115,000 roller shades made by Smith + Noble. The shades pose a strangulation hazard that can occur in the event that the child’s neck either gets ensnared in the shade cord or stuck between the Roman shade and the exposed inner cord. So far, there has been just one report of a child, a 5-year-old Washington boy, getting entangled in a roller shade’s unsecured continuous loop bead cord. Fortunately, he did not require medical attention. Shade owners should request a free repair kit.

Just two days before, the CPSC recalled about 44,900 Kariño Baby Pacifiers distributed by Antonio Flores. The pacifier do not meet federal safety standard and poses an aspiration risk and choking hazard to young kids. The pacifier’s mouth guard isn’t large enough and lacks ventilation holes. Also, its handle is too long and the nipple is easy to separate from the base. It is important to take the pacifier away from your child right away and contact Antonio Flores to request your refund.

Last Thursday, the CPSC and Health Canada recalled approximately 20,000 Cozy Indoor Outdoor Portable Playard Tents Plus Cabana Kits. The playard can pose an entrapment and strangulation hazard if the clips attaching the tent to the playard break or come off. At that point, a child in the playard is at risk of becoming entrapped between the tent’s metal base rod and the playard frame. One boy, age 2, died from injuries he sustained in the playard during a Maine entrapment accident. Consumers are being urged to stop using the playard tents and contact Tots in Mind Inc. to request a free replacement kit.

Our child injury lawyers are pleased to hear about the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s increased efforts to clear the marketplace of products that can cause serious injuries to children. That said, there are still a lot of products with defects that continue to place kids’ lives at risk, including poorly designed and manufactured clothing, shades, nursery products, furniture, child safety seats, toys, jewelry, playground rides, chests, and household décor.

Smith+Noble window shades recalled, UPI.com, July 22, 2010

Karino pacifiers recalled due to choking hazard, Bloomberg, BusinessWeek, July 20, 2010

Safety regulators have new urgency over baby products, USA Today, July 21, 2010

Play yard tents recalled after child's death, AP, July 15, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Consumer Product Safety Commission

Child Safety, Consumer Reports

Continue reading "CPSC Attempts to Prevent Injuries to Children with Recalls of Smith + Noble Roman and Roller Shades, Kariño Baby Pacifiers, and Tots in Mind Playards " »

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Posted In: Cribs and Infant Sleepers , Furniture and Accessories , Infant Products , Injuries to Children & Minors , Nursery Products , Suffocation Accidents

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The Consumer Product Safety Commission has taken action to ban all drop-side cribs. On Wednesday, the federal agency voted unanimously to stop the manufacture, sale, and resale of cribs with drop-sides. Drop-side cribs are at least 32 infant deaths (and possibly another 14 child fatalities) in the past decade alone.

In the last five years alone, more than 9 million drop-side cribs have had to be recalled over crib entrapment, suffocation, and fall hazards caused by defective crib design, mattress support failure, drop-side detachment, poor quality materials, and other safety issues. The new mandatory standards requires that cribs be made with better quality wood, stronger mattress support, and sturdier hardware.

The new mandatory standards will have to go through a final vote but are expected to go into effect in 2011. All cribs sold would have to meet the new standards. Daycare centers and hotels also wouldn’t be able to use drop-side cribs. Drop-side cribs will no longer be accepted by or sold at thrift stores.

Just last month, some 2 million drop-side cribs were recalled, including cribs made by Delta and Evenflo. Yesterday, Pottery Barn Kids recalled 82,000 drop-side cribs because they pose an entrapment danger or a suffocation hazard to young kids. Pottery Barn Kids is a division of Williams-Sonoma, Inc.

A Pottery Barn Kids drop-side crib can be become a suffocation hazard if the drop-side detaches and a space is created that a young child can become entrapped in. Possible drop-side detachment, which can occur from hardware breakage, incorrect assembly, or a malfunctioning crib part, also poses a fall hazard to kids.

All Pottery Barn Kids drop-side cribs are included in the recall. Already, Pottery Barn Kids and CPSC have received 36 reports of drop-sides malfunctioning. Seven minor injuries linked to children getting their legs caught between the drop side and mattress or falling out of the cribs have been reported. One child’s head got caught between the drop side and mattress during a crib entrapment accident.

Government nears new standards for cribs, ban on drop-side cribs, CNN, July 15, 2010

Feds push new ban as Pottery Barn recalls cribs, AP/Google, July 14, 2010

Pottery Barn Kids Recalls to Repair Drop-Side Cribs Due to Entrapment, Suffocation and Fall Hazards, CPSC, July 14, 2010

Related Web Resources:
The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (PDF)

Dangerous Cribs, Chicago Tribune

Continue reading "CPSC Votes to Ban Drop-Side Cribs" »

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Posted In: Cribs and Infant Sleepers , Infant Products , Injuries to Children & Minors

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The US Consumer Product Safety Commission is recalling more than 2 million cribs because of the hazards they may pose to children. Included in the recall are cribs made by Evenflo, LaJobi, Child Craft, Million Dollar Baby, Jardine Enterprises, Delta Enterprises Corp, and Simmons Juvenile Products Inc. The cribs were made between 2000 and 2009.

To date, no fatalities have been linked to the recalled cribs. However, there are about 250 reports of drop-side detachment and failure incidents, as well as at least 16 child entrapment accidents.

The Recalled Cribs:
750,000 Jenny Lind Cribs by Evenflo: Drop-side hazards can place a toddler at risk of getting hurt or dying from crib entrapment, suffocation, strangulation, or fall accidents. 31 reports cite drop-side malfunctions and detachment, which have resulted in at least 7 injuries.

Approximately 306,000 Bonavita, Babi Italia, and ISSI drop-side cribs: 40 reports of malfunction and detachment incidents have been filed. One child got hurt during a crib fall accident.

40,000 – 50,000 Child Craft "Crib ‘N' Double Bed" stationary-side Cribs and an unknown number of Child Craft drop-side cribs: If the stationary side of the "Crib ‘N' Double Bed" is assembled upside down, a dangerous gap at the top of the crib can be created, placing infants and toddlers at risk of crib entrapment. Four entrapment accidents have been reported. Two of the kids were reportedly in danger of strangulation. The CPSC has received seven reports of drop-side failure that have resulted in one entrapment accident and one fall accident. Child Craft is no longer in operation.

Approximately 156,000 Million Dollar Baby drop-side cribs: There have been 43 reports of drop-side-related incidents, including 8 entrapment accidents and 3 fall accidents.

Approximately 747,000 Delta drop-side cribs and all drop-side and fixed Delta cribs that come with wooden stabilizer bars: If the wooden is installed upside down, a mattress support hazard can be created, which increases the risk of entrapment accidents. 57 drop-side related incidents have been reported. The CPSC knows of 19 stabilizer bar incidents that have caused 10 mattress platform collapses and at least 3 resulting injuries.

All (about 13,000) Jardine Enterprise drop-side cribs: At least 47 drop-side incidents have occurred. One child who became entrapped fell unconscious and was hospitalized. Nine other entrapment accidents have resulted in injuries, including a broken collarbone.

Approximately 50,000 Simmons Easy Side drop-side cribs: CPSC has received reports of 30 drop-side incidents resulting in 2 entrapment accidents and 3 fall accidents.

The companies involved in this latest recall are offering consumers free repair kits to fix the crib defects. Do NOT try to fix these cribs without a kit.

Recent Recalls, CPSC

Feds recall another 2 million drop-side cribs, Chicago Tribune, June 25, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Feds Ending Manufacture of Drop-Side Cribs, CBS News, May 10, 2010

Dangerous Kids, Kids in Danger

Continue reading "Delta Enterprise, LaJobi, Evenflo, and Jardine Enterprises Among the More than 2 Million Cribs Recalled Over Drop-Side Issues and Other Hazards" »

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Posted In: Choking Hazards , Cribs and Infant Sleepers , Infant Products , Injuries to Children & Minors , Nursery Products , Suffocation Accidents

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After the recall of more than seven million drop-sides cribs, at least 32 related child deaths, and hundreds of incidents involving problematic drop sides, the lawmakers and the government is taking more aggressive steps to ban drop-side cribs. Last Monday, US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand proposed a bill that would make it illegal to make and sell drop-side cribs. A similar bill is also expected to also be introduced in the US House.

Meantime, the Consumer Product Safety Commission says that it will be taking aggressive steps eliminate drop-side cribs from the marketplace, as well as those that are already in US homes. 100,000 of the 500,000 cribs sold in this country in 2008 were drop-side cribs. Also, the CPSC is promising a new crib standard that would require crib manufacturers to make only cribs with fixed sides.

Our child injury attorneys are familiar with the serious injuries that can arise when a baby or toddler is left in a defective drop-side crib. We encourage you to explore your legal options for filing a products liability lawsuit or a wrongful death case if your son or daughter fell, became entrapped, or suffocated while in a defective crib.

Reasons why drop-side cribs cause injuries:

• The drop side becomes detached from the rest of the crib
• The drop side malfunctions and suddenly “drops," increasing the chance of a fall accident
• An opening gets created between the mattress and the drop side that makes it easy for a child to get entrapped in and suffocate
• Difficult to understand instructions can result in improper installation, which can increase the chances of a drop-side crib malfunction
• Crib parts made from poor quality materials are more prone to breakage and malfunctions

Lawmakers look to ban drop-side cribs, AP, May 25, 2010

CPSC looking to ban drop-side crib manufacturing, Todaysthv.com, May 10, 2010

Related Web Resources:
What Are The Safety Issues With Drop-Side Cribs?, About.com

CPSC

Continue reading "Senator Proposes Legislation to Ban Drop-Side Cribs" »

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Posted In: Cribs and Infant Sleepers , Infant Products , Injuries to Children & Minors , Nursery Products , Suffocation Accidents

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The head of the Consumer Product Safety Commission is vowing to ban the sale and manufacture of drop-side cribs. The promise comes in the wake of at least 32 child deaths linked to drop-side cribs over the past 10 years. While the CPSC has recalled over 7 million drop-side cribs following reports of injuries to children and wrongful deaths, crib manufacturers and sellers have failed to get rid of the defects that make these cribs so dangerous.

Just yesterday, with the cooperation of C&T International/Sorelle, the CPSC recalled about 170,00 drop-side cribs. The cribs can pose a hazard in the event that the drop-side hardware becomes disengaged from the tracks and the drop side detaches. Full-sized C&T International, Sorelle and Golden Baby wood cribs are included in the recall.

This latest recall comes following reports of 104 drop-side/crib slat detachment incidents. Six babies sustained abrasions and bruises on different parts of their bodies when they fell or became entrapped. Five infants who were involved in fall accidents and crib entrapment incidents were rescued before any injuries could occur.

Now, CPSC Chairwoman Inez Tenenbaum is saying that enough is enough. In addition to the 32 fatalities caused by suffocation or strangulation in a crib, 14 other entrapment fatalities may also have occurred because of drop-side failures. Granted, major crib manufacturers have consented to a voluntary ban on drop-side cribs. However, this isn’t the same has having to obey a federal safety standard that bans these cribs.

Drop-Side Crib Dangers
Drop-side or crib slat detachment can create an opening between the crib mattress and the drop-side that infants and toddlers can get stuck in. Crib entrapment can cause suffocation and/or strangulation if the baby isn’t rescued immediately. A child can also get hurts if the drop side comes off completely or collapses, making it easy for a toddler to fall onto the ground.

This defect can be grounds for a products liability lawsuit if a child gets hurt because of a flaw in the crib design or materials.

Federal safety regulator pledges to ban drop-side cribs, Los Angeles Times, May 8, 2010

C&T International/Sorelle Recalls Cribs Due to Strangulation and Suffocation Hazards, CPSC, May 6, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Crib safety tips, Consumer Reports

Choosing a Crib, Healthy Children

Continue reading "Preventing Crib Entrapment, Suffocation, and Fall Accidents: CPSC Chief Vows to Ban Drop-Side Cribs" »

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Posted In: Cribs and Infant Sleepers , Infant Products , Injuries to Children & Minors

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The Consumer Product Safety Commission announced two major crib recalls today over concerns that the infant sleepers can cause serious injuries to children. To our child injury law firm, the latest recalls are yet another reminder that there are crib manufacturers that continue to place children’s safety at risk with their poorly designed and manufactured products.

In the first recall, the CPSC is recalling all Simplicity cribs that have tubular metal mattress-support frames. Simplicity drop-side and fixed-side cribs are both affected by the recall. Because Simplicity and SFCA Inc., its successor company, are no longer in operation, the CPSC is unsure of how many cribs were sold.

Strangulation, entrapment, suffocation, and fall accidents might happen if the frame detaches, bends, or causes a portion of the mattress to collapse so that an opening is created that the infant can get stuck in or fall through. The CPSC knows of at least 13 incidents where this crib defect has led to the product failing.

One Massachusetts toddler, age 1, died from a crib entrapment accident in April 2008 when he got stuck between the frame and mattress. Another child sustained minor cuts to his head when the mattress collapsed and he fell out of the crib. Another child was also involved in a crib entrapment accident. Fortunately, he did not get hurt.

In the second crib recall, the CPSC is recalling approximately 217,000 Graco drop-side cribs that were manufactured by LaJobi Inc. The suffocation and entrapment hazard can occur if the drop-side hardware fails or breaks, causing the drop side to detach. This can create a dangerous opening between the mattress and the drop-side that a child can get entrapped in or wedged between. Also, in the event that the drop side detaches or doesn’t lock properly, the crib then becomes a fall hazard.

There have been 99 reports so far of drop-sides detaching or breaking. Luckily, two children who became entrapped were freed before they suffocated. Six children fell from the crib. One of them sustained a mild concussion.

Recall: Simplicity cribs. One infant death reported, Chicago Tribune, April 29, 2010

Simplicity and Graco crib recalls: Is your crib on the list?, Christian Science Monitor, April 29, 2010

Related Web Resources:
CPSC

Check cribs for defects before placing babies back to sleep, APP News, March 2009

Continue reading "More Graco and Simplicity Cribs Recalled Following Child Injuries and One Infant Death" »

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Posted In: Cribs and Infant Sleepers , Infant Products , Injuries to Children & Minors

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Earlier this month, our child injury law firm reported on the warning issued by the Consumer Product Safety Commission that baby slings can be dangerous and lead to suffocation accidents. Their warning was announced following 13 infant deaths—3 of them in the past year.

Now, Infantino, the manufacturer of the infant slings involved in the 2009 child fatalities, is recalling over 1 million baby slings. If your baby has a “Wendy Bellisimo” or a “SlingRider” infant sling, the CPSC is urging you to stop using this product right away.

The babies that died were a 7-week-old Philadelphia infant, a 3-month-old Cincinnati baby, and a 6-day-old Oregon infant. Newborn Derrik’s mom has filed her Oregon products liability lawsuit suing Infantino for millions of dollars over her son’s wrongful death by asphyxia/suffocation. Click on our recent products liability law blog post to read more about how to protect your child from suffocation injuries when using a baby sling.

Also, in other major child recall news, last week Evenflo and the CPSC announced the recall of 183,000 Evenflo Top-of-Stair™ Plus Wood Gates (approximately 150,000 in the US and 33,000 in Canada). The gates become a fall hazard when the slats detach or break.

Evenflo already has received 142 reports of problems with the slats. Three children managed to access the stairs. One child fell down a step and another child fell down five steps. Seven kids sustained scrapes, scratches, and bruises. Four children suffered head bumps and bruises. Evenflo models 101512 and 10502 are included in the recall.

If a child manages to get through a baby gate designed to prevent him or her from getting to the stairs and falls down the steps, serious injuries can result. In addition to bruises, scratches, and bumps, broken bones, head injuries, spinal cord injuries, neck injuries, and other injuries can occur.

Evenflo Recalls Top-of-Stair Plus Wood Gates Due to Fall Hazard, CPSC, March 25, 2010
Grieving mothers blame baby slings for infant deaths, CNN, March 25, 2010

Infantino Recalls to Replace SlingRider Baby Slings; Three Infant Deaths Reported, CPSC, March 24, 2010

Related Web Resources:
World report on child injury prevention, World Health Organization

Products Liability Overview, Justia

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Posted In: Cribs and Infant Sleepers , Injuries to Children & Minors , Oregon , Suffocation Accidents

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The Consumer Product Safety Commission is warning dads and moms that chic baby slings can be deadly. The commission says that it has investigated at least 13 child fatalities involving the sling-style carriers in 20 years. Three of the fatalities occurred last year. 12 of the babies that died were under the age of four months.

Baby slings wrap around the chest, keeping the baby close to the parent. They allow parents to “wear” their kids. Experts have promoted infant slings as a way to calm babies down or help moms breastfeed their children.

Now, the CPSC is warning caregivers and parents to be very careful when using the baby slings for infants in that vulnerable age group because the child carrier can pose a suffocation hazard in two ways:

• The sling can cause the baby to be cradled too close to the mom’s belly or under her chest in a curved position. This may push the baby’s head forward, limiting his/her ability to breathe and cry for help.

• The fabric of the sling can push itself against an infant’s nose and mouth. It takes just a minute for a suffocation accident to happen.

Many of the fatalities involved kids who were born prematurely, low birth weight twins, or suffering from a cold.

The CPSC is not the first to warn about hazards related to this popular carrier. In 2008, Consumer Reports noted that approximately two dozen serious injuries had been linked to the slings. Skull fractures were among the injuries sustained during fall accidents from the carrier.

Safety advocates again warned about the dangers the sling can pose last year after a 1-week-old baby died in an Oregon suffocation accident. His cause of death was positional asphyxia.

Currently, there are no rules or standards that govern baby slings. However, if your child fell out of a baby sling or was seriously injured/died in a suffocation accident, your son or daughter may be the victim of child products liability.

The CPSC is offering the following safety precautions to prevent sling suffocation accidents:

• Make sure that the baby’s head is faced up and away from the sling or the mom’s body
• Check the baby’s position on a regular basis
• Make sure that the sling’s fabric doesn’t cover the baby’s face

Baby slings to get warning after deaths, MSNBC/AP, March 9, 2010

Infant Deaths Prompt CPSC Warning About Sling Carriers for Babies, CPSC, March 12, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Strangulation and Suffocation, Parents.com

Consumer Product Safety Commission

Continue reading "At Least 13 Infant Deaths Linked to Baby Slings, Reports CPSC " »

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Posted In: Cribs and Infant Sleepers , Infant Products , Injuries to Children & Minors , Suffocation Accidents

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The deaths of three infants has prompted the CPSC to recall all “ChildESIGNS” and Generation 2 Worldwide drop-side cribs. About 500,000 cribs are affected. Unlike other drop-side crib recalls, no repair kit will be issued.

It is imperative that kids are immediately removed from these cribs. Trying to fix the furniture defect will not make the cribs safer.

The three babies that died suffocated when they became entrapped between the mattress and a broken drop side. The incidents involve the 2007 Ohio suffocation accident of an infant, 8 mos., a 2003 Indiana crib suffocation accident involving another child, also 8 mo., and a fatal 2002 Virginia crib entrapment accident that happened when the drop side detached because the track was missing two of its screws.

The potential hazard can occur if the drop side’s plastic hardware breaks, leading the drop side to come off in at least one corner. This small space is large enough for a toddler or baby to move into and get caught in, posing a strangulation or suffocation risk. Entrapment and suffocation can also happen in the event that the mattress becomes separated from its support, creating the open space that toddlers can get trapped in.

The CPSC says consumers have filed an additional 20 drop-side accidents, which include two suffocation incidents and five fall accidents from the cribs, as well as a number of incidents involving the crib’s mattress.

Generation 2 is no longer in operation. Crib owners can contact the retailer that sold them the crib and ask for a replacement crib, a refund, or a store credit.

With the number of infant furniture recalls that the CPSC has announced in the last few years as a result of so many child injuries and deaths, there is no question that there are child furniture manufacturers out there who are failing to fulfill their responsibility to make products that are safe for use. The drop-side crib appears to be one product (for the most part) that is designed in such a way that makes it dangerous for kids. It is a tragedy to put your child to bed and later find that he or she sustained a traumatic brain injury or died because of a crib entrapment accident.

Generation 2 Worldwide and “ChildESIGNS” Drop Side Crib Brands Recalled; Three Infant Deaths Reported, Consumer Product Safety Commission, February 9, 2010

Generation 2 Worldwide Cribs Recalled, CBS News, February 9, 2010

Related Web Resources:
If your child was involved in a crib accident involving a drop-side crib, file a CPSC report today.

Crib Safety, Baby-Place

Continue reading "CPSC Urges Consumers to Stop Using Generation 2 Worldwide and “ChildESIGNS Drop-Side Cribs Immediately" »

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Posted In: Cribs and Infant Sleepers , Infant Products , Injuries to Children & Minors , Ohio , Virginia

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The Consumer Product Safety Commission announced today that it is recalling approximately 213,000 play yards with bassinets because of concern that the infant product posses a suffocation risk. The recall includes Eddie Bauer Complete Care Play Yards and Safety 1st Disney Care Center™ Play Yard.

There are no reports of any related injuries to date. Hover, the metal bars that support the sleeper’s floorboard can come out through the fabric sleeves. If this happens, the sleeping surface of the bassinet may become uneven. This can cause an infant to suffer from positional asphyxiation or suffocate.

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Dorel Juvenile Group will provide consumers with a free repair kit. Consumers should stop using the bassinet portion that attaches to the play yard until the fix can be made.

Just last week, the CPSC and IKEA Home Furnishings recalled approximately 600 LEOPARD Highchairs because they pose a potential fall hazard or suffocation danger. If the snap locks that secure the seat breaks, the child and the seat can fall through the highchair’s frame. There is also concern that a young child might choke on detached snap locks. To date, there is one report of a baby sustaining leg bruises after falling. Another child reportedly was able to chew off one of the locks.

In the wake of ongoing recalls involving child and infant products, federal regulators have approved a new rule mandating that manufacturers keep a list of customers so that it is easier to let parents know if a product is considered dangerous or defective.

The companies that make high chairs, cribs, strollers, gates, toddler beds, bath seats, booster chairs, play yards, hook-on chairs, infant carriers, children’s folding tables, bed rails, activity centers, walkers, bassinets, changing tables, cradles, bathtubs, slings, and bouncers will have to include a registration card with each product so that they can put together their consumer lists.

While quick notification will hopefully prevent more child injuries caused by defective infant products from happening, there are still children and babies who may be hurt before (and even after) a recall is issued.

Dorel Juvenile Group Voluntarily Recalls Bassinets on Select Play Yards, Offering Parents Free Bassinet Repair Kit, PR Newswire, December 30, 2009

CPSC approves final rule on registration card program for infant, toddler products, Kids Today, December 29, 2009

Recall: IKEA highchair, Chicago Tribune, December 22, 2009

Related Web Resources:
US Consumer Product Safety Commission

Nursery Product-Related Injuries and Deaths, CPSC, November 2009 (PDF)

Continue reading "213,000 Dorel Juvenile Play Yards and 600 IKEA LEOPARD Highchairs are Among Latest Children’s Furniture Product Recalls by CPSC" »

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Posted In: Cribs and Infant Sleepers , Furniture and Accessories , Infant Products , Injuries to Children & Minors , Nursery Products , Strollers

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The Consumer Product Safety Commission is once again warning parents and guardians about the dangers associated with Simplicity drop-side cribs. The CPSC began recalling these child sleepers, made by SFCA Inc. and Simplicity Inc., in December 2005. Over 2 million Simplicity drop-side cribs have been recalled because of the hazard they pose to children. CPSC’s other Simplicity recalls were announced on June and September 2007, September 2008, and July 2009. The agency says that at this point, all Simplicity drop-side cribs are recalled.

Defects with the crib’s plastic material can lead to deformity or breakage, which can cause the drop side of the crib to become detached. This can create a gap between the mattress and the drop side that babies can fall into, and they may suffocate while entrapped.

Last week, the CPSC announced that 11 babies have now died because of this crib defect. The latest child death was in September when a 7-month-old died from a Kentucky entrapment accident. The victim of another recent Simplicity crib death was an 8-month old baby in Texas. The CPSC says it also knows of about 25 other incidents involving Simplicity drop sides detaching.

Suffocation accidents involving defectively designed cribs continue to be a problem that doesn’t seem to be going away. Tragically, it is the babies and their families that suffer.

Earlier this month, our child injury lawyers posted a blog entry about the recall of 24,000 Amboy Baby Motion Beds and Hammocks. The CPSC announced the recall after two child suffocation deaths. Last month, the dangers involving drop-side cribs made the headlines once again when the CPSC recalled 2.1 million Stork Craft Drop-Side cribs following a series of entrapment, suffocation, and fall accidents, and at least four child deaths.

Crib manufacturers have no excuse for making sleepers that can cause suffocation, entrapment, or falls. They can be held liable for products liability if a child injury or infant fatality results.

CPSC sounds the alarm after another Simplicity crib death, Consumer Reports, December 18, 2009

CPSC Launches New Effort to Find Recalled Simplicity Cribs (PDF)

Related Web Resources:
Simplicity for Children

CPSC

Continue reading "7-Month-Old Baby is 11th Child Fatality Involving Simplicity Drop-Side Cribs" »

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Posted In: Cribs and Infant Sleepers , Furniture and Accessories , Infant Products , Injuries to Children & Minors , Nursery Products

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