New Mexico Defective Products – Crib Recalls Escalate

Less than a month into 2010, the Consumer Product Safety Commission has already recalled dozens of products – including a massive crib recall of 635,000 Dorel Asia Cribs. The recall came after reports of 10 separate injuries and one infant death as a result of being trapped and strangled by a defective crib. The Dorel Asia crib’s drop-side hardware can fail, causing the drop-side to detach and allow a gap between the crib and mattress where an infant or toddler can become trapped, suffocated, or strangled.

With 20 different models being sold at stores throughout the United States, including Walmart and Sears, the potential for more serious injuries and deaths is widespread.

The recent recall is but the latest in a long list of crib recalls. In fact, more than 5 million cribs, bassinets, and play yards have been recalled since 2007. These include such popular cribs as the Simplicity Drop Side Crib, Babi Italia Pinehurst and Delta Enterprise Drop Side Cribs, Stork Craft Baby Cribs, and Convertible Cribs by Playkids, USA.

As a result of the dangers presented by cribs and bassinets, it’s crucial to check resources such as the CPSC’s crib information center to see if the crib, bassinet, or play yard in your nursery is on the recall list.

In addition to checking the recall list, there are some simple steps you can follow to ensure crib safety. These include:

• Follow the “two-finger” rule – make sure there are no gaps larger than two- fingers between the sides of the crib and mattress.
• Assemble the crib exactly according to directions, if you have any questions, call the manufacturer.
• Do not use old, broken, or modified cribs.
• Do not place pillows or thick blankets/quilts in the bed with the baby, they may be a suffocation hazard.

As Albuquerque personal injury attorneys concerned about product safety, we urge you to check if your crib or bassinet has been recalled and to follow these simple safety precautions.

Follow this blog for more information on crib and other dangerous product recalls.