Stork Craft Crib Recall Largest In U.S. History

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced a recall of potentially dangerous cribs, the largest crib recall in the history of the United States. The CPSC is advising consumers to stop using The Stork Craft drop-down-side crib because it poses a serious strangulation risk to infants. Approximately 2.1 million of the cribs have been sold and are in use.

The move follows the news that 4 infants have died of suffocation after becoming entrapped in the crib’s drop down sides. There have also been at least 110 incidents in the United States and Canada when the drop-down sides of the cribs became detached, which resulted in dozens of babies either becoming entrapped between the side and the crib frame, or falling out of the crib altogether.

Drop down side cribs have a track record for injuring infants. Nearly 5 million cribs have been recalled over the past two years and the CPSC has discussed banning dropdown sides all together. Adding to the danger in this particular case is the fact that parts used to create the cribs are easily broken, missing, or misassembled. For instance, the crib’s drop-side could come off its tracks and create a “hazardous gap which can lead to infant entrapment and suffocation.”

Stork Craft has released a toll-free number for consumers to call, or to order a free repair kit: (877) 274-0277.

We expect the products that we purchase, especially for our infants and children, to be safe and free from defect. As this story illustrates, that is not always the case. When manufacturer’s make errors in the design of products, as it appears is the case with the Stork Craft cribs, they do a huge disservice to their consumers.

If you have a child or infant that have suffered injuries due to a defective product you may be able to file a claim against the manufacturer to recover damages. For more information on product liability issues and the Stork Craft Crib Recall, visit the Bernard Law Group’s website devoted to defective products and recalls: http://www.washingtonproductliabilityattorneys.com/.