Simplicity Cribs Recall - Product Recalls

Date:

September 21, 2007

Category:

Cribs, Beds & Furniture

Company/Brand:

Simplicity

The Danger:

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 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.

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.

Description:

The recall includes about 1 million cribs. The 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
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
8996

To see photos of correctly installed and incorrectly installed drop-sides and older and newer crib hardware, visit cpcs.gov.

About 40,000 additional Simplicity Nursery-in-a-Box cribs were recalled in June 2007

About 600,000 additional Simplicity cribs were recalled in September 2008

Sold At:

Department stores, children's stores, and mass merchandisers nationwide from January 1998 through May 2007 for between $100 and $300.

What To Do:

First, 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. If the drop-side is installed upside down or not securely attached, 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.

Next, check to see if the crib contains the older style recalled hardware. Recalled hardware has a flexible tab at the bottom of the lower tracks and the top of the lower tracks are open. If your crib has the older, recalled hardware, contact Simplicity immediately for a free repair; call toll-free at (888) 593-9274 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 their Web site at www.simplicityforchildren.com.

If your crib has the newer hardware, check crib's drop-side to ensure it is assembled right side up and inspect for broken hardware.

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. If you have a crib with newer style hardware and have installed the drop-side upside down or have broken hardware, you should also contact Simplicity immediately.

For More Information: