Simplicty cribs recalled long after troubled company ceases operation

Today, the Consumer Product Safety Commission announced yet another recall of Simplicity-branded children's products. This is the ninth recall of Simplicity products since May 2005, and the sixth recall of that brand's full-size cribs. Some of the models involved in today's announcement were recalled earlier.

This recall involves 400,000 drop-side cribs that pose a risk of death from suffocation and the CPSC knows of one death of an eight-month-old child, two incidents of entrapment, and 25 reports of drop sides detaching from the crib. The crib's plastic hardware, which has flexible plastic tabs at the top of the lower tracks can break or deform. That causes the drop side to detach from the bottom and creates a dangerous gap between the mattress and drop side in which a child can become entrapped and suffocate.

The recalled model numbers include but may not be limited to: 8050, 8325, 8620, 8745, 8748, 8755, 8756, 8765, 8778, 8810, 8994, 8995, and 8996.  Made in China, the cribs were sold nationwide between January 2005 and June 2009 for between $150 and $300.

Consumers who own these cribs should stop using them immediately and return the crib to the place of purchase for a refund, replacement or store credit. A note on a related Simplicity crib recall says: "This firm appears to no longer conduct day-to-day operations.  Repair kits are no longer available to fix these recalled cribs.  Parents and caregivers are advised to dispose of these cribs, even if it is believed that the hardware and drop side have been installed correctly. All of the recalled cribs have the potential to pose a danger to young children."

The CPSC is also urging parents to check their homes for any recalled Simplicity products.

Our take:  This recall once again highlights our concerns about the durability of drop-side hardware. Until mandatory safety standards are developed that ensure that drop sides can withstand foreseeable use and misuse, we support banning this crib design.