Drop-Side Crib Ban Possible
Manufacturers Sign Proposal to End Production of Sliding Rail Cribs
Mar 20, 2009
A design that was meant to be easy on a new parent’s back has become a deadly hazard for babies. Now crib manufacturers are taking action toward banning drop-side cribs, which have been found responsible for numerous injuries and deaths. Crib makers signed a proposal this week that would ban drop-side cribs in the United States.
Incidents Involving Drop-Side Cribs
In the past two years, more than three million cribs have been recalled after several infants were injured and even killed due to problems with drop-side railings. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, at least three children have died and more than two dozen have been injured when drop-side railings detached from cribs.
In the fall of 2008, two 8-month-old infants were suffocated when the drop side of the cribs’ railings detached. This led to the recall of 1.6 million drop-side cribs made by Delta Enterprise. In 2007, three deaths were blamed on Simplicity drop-side cribs, which led to the recall of about 1 million cribs.
Following the string of infant deaths and injuries over the past two years, the Consumer Product Safety Commission has called for “swift action to address the address the safety of drop-side cribs.” Crib makers have complied by creating this week’s proposal, which would apply only to newly made cribs.
The Problem with Drop-Side Cribs
The design flaw of drop-side cribs is that they have movable parts. The railings of drop-side cribs can become detached when they are improperly assembled or have faulty hardware. As a result, babies can become trapped or suffocated when cribs malfunction, and often the child cannot cry out.
What Manufacturers are Doing About Drop-Side Cribs
The proposal, drafted by a subcommittee of ASTM International, called for the elimination of moving parts on cribs and would require them to have all four sides firmly attached. The proposal now goes to the ASTM consumer-product committee. If passed, the new regulations could take several months to a year to take effect.
Crib Safety Tips
The CPSC offers the following tips to help ensure cribs are safe for babies. There should be:
- A firm, tight-fitting mattress so baby can't get trapped between the mattress and the crib.
- No missing, loose, broken or improperly installed screws, brackets, or other hardware on the crib or mattress support.
- Cribs that are assembled wrong, have missing, loose or broken hardware or broken slats can result in entrapment or suffocation deaths. Infants can strangle when their head and neck become entrapped in gaps created by missing, loose or broken hardware or broken slats.
- No more than 2 3/8 inches (about the width of a soda can) between the crib slats so a baby's body can't fit through the slats; no missing or cracked slats.
- No corner posts over 1/16th inch high so a baby's clothing can't catch.
- No cutouts in the headboard or foot board so a baby's head can't get trapped.
Experts recommend that parents who have drop-side cribs keep the cribs in the upright position and check the crib frequently for loose hardware or gaps in the railing. Although the new regulations will be voluntary, the fact that there is widespread agreement among major crib manufacturers shows that child safety is a priority in the industry.
Source consulted for this article:
Callahan, Patricia. “Major manufacturers propose ban on drop-side cribs.” Chicago Tribune. March 18, 2009.
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