Dorel Asia recalls cribs following death, injuries of infants

-- Kids Today, 1/20/2010 7:40:00 AM

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Dorel Asia SRL, of Barbados, is announcing a voluntary recall to replace drop side and non-drop side cribs that pose suffocation and strangulation hazards to infants and toddlers. Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled cribs until replacement kits are obtained and installed.

 

Name of Product: Dorel Asia cribs

 

Units: About 635,000

 

Distributor: Dorel Asia SRL, of Barbados

 

Hazard: The drop side hardware can fail causing the drop side to detach from the crib. When the drop side detaches it creates a space in which an infant or toddler can become entrapped and suffocate or strangle. In addition, the recalled cribs can pose a serious entrapment and strangulation hazard when a slat is damaged. This can occur while the crib is in use, in storage, being put together, taken apart or reassembled; or during shipping and handling.

 

Reports: CPSC and Dorel Asia SRL received a report of the death of 6-month old child from Cedar Rapids, Iowa who became entrapped and strangled in a crib after the drop side hardware broke. The crib continued to be used after the parents tried to repair the drop side themselves. CPSC and Dorel Asia received reports of 31 drop side incidents. In six of those incidents, children were entrapped between the drop side and crib mattress. Three children suffered from bruises as a result of the entrapment. In addition, CPSC and Dorel Asia received reports of 36 incidents of slat breakage, including seven reports of bruises and scratches to children and two reports of entrapment that resulted in no injury.

 

Description: The following Dorel Asia cribs are involved in the recall (click here to see images on CPSC's Web site):

 

Model Number	Front Rail	Description
WM1633	Drop side	3-1 Sleigh Crib – Cherry
WM1633-0	Drop side	3-1 Sleigh Crib - Cherry (no castors)
WM1676BC	Fixed	4-1 Bethany James Crib – Walnut
WM1676BCR-DC	Fixed	2-1 Crib – Walnut
WM2163	Fixed	4-1 Crib – Manhattan Walnut
WM2163DC	Fixed	4-1 Crib – Manhattan Walnut
WM1633-0-DC	Fixed	3-1 Sleigh Crib (no castors)
GP004B3EGR	Drop side	3-1 Convertible – Espresso
GP004B3WGR	Drop side	3-1 Convertible – White
GP006BCEGR	Drop side	Single – Espresso
GP006BCWGR	Drop side	Single – White
DA1615B3	Drop side	3-1 Convertible Crib – Natural
DAKM5132	Drop side	3-1 Convertible Crib – White
DASE5005	Drop side	Cottage Hill Single Crib – White
DASE5009	Drop side	Vintage Estate 3-1 Sleigh Crib – Cherry
DA0504KMC-1N	Drop side	3-1 Heritage Crib – Natural
DA0504KMC-1W	Drop side	3-1 Heritage Crib – White
DA1614B3	Drop side	3-1 Lexington Crib – Cherry
DAKM5152	Drop side	Single Jenny Lind Crib - Walnut
DASE5015	Drop side	3-1 Convertible - Toffee

 

Sold at: K-Mart, Sears and Wal-Mart stores nationwide from January 2005 through December 2009 for between $120 and $700.

 

Manufactured in: China and Vietnam

 

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled cribs, find an alternative safe sleeping environment for your child, and contact Dorel Asia to receive a free replacement kit. Consumers should log on to www.dorel-asia.com to order the free replacement kit to prevent child entrapment in these cribs. The repair kits will be provided to owners within the next several weeks.

 

Consumer Contact: Call Dorel Asia toll-free at 866-762-2304 or visit the firm’s Web site at www.dorel-asia.com.

 

Important Message from CPSC: CPSC reminds parents not to use any crib with missing, broken, or loose parts. Make sure to tighten hardware from time to time to keep the crib sturdy. When using a drop-side crib, parents should check to make sure the drop side or any other moving part operates smoothly. Always check all sides and corners of the crib for disengagement. Disengagements can create a gap and entrap a child. In addition, do not try to repair any side of the crib, especially with duct tape, wire or rope.

 

Visit CPSC's Crib Information Center for more information on crib safety and recalls.