2nd Infant Death Spurs a Repeat Warning for Drop-Side Baby Cribs
After learning of a 2009 accident that killed a seven-month-old infant in Colorado Springs, Colo., federal authorities have reissued a recall order for close to a million Delta Enterprise Corp. drop-side baby cribs. Although the cribs are not believed to have been sold by major retailers for several years, the new announcement serves as a warning to parents who buy the items secondhand.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission, which issued the original recall of the 985,000 cribs in October, 2008, urged parents who own one of the products to check for missing safety pegs from the legs on the drop side. If they are missing, it allows a movable rail to become detached, which creates an opening where a baby can become wedged and suffocate.
The crib that caused the 2009 death of the seven-month-old, which came to the attention of the CPSC in January, was purchased secondhand and then assembled without the pegs put into their proper place.
"Buying or accepting cribs secondhand can be risky," said Inez Tenenbaum, chairwoman of the CPSC. "Secondhand cribs may not come with all of the necessary parts that are needed to make sure your baby is safe."
The original Delta recall also was sparked by the death of an infant.
A recent study in the journal Pediatrics reported that cribs and other baby equipment can be far more hazardous than people realize. From 1990 through 2008, more than 184,000 babies in the U.S. were hospitalized because of mishaps with cribs, bassinets and playpens. Among that group, more than 2,100 infants died as a result of their injuries.
The Delta cribs subject to the recall were sold from 1995 through 2007 at major retailers such as Walmart and Target. Parents should contact Delta for a repair kit upon seeing that pegs are missing.
The CPSC is imposing stricter crib regulations taking effect in June, including a ban on the sale of drop-side cribs.
Source: Copyright © 2011 FairWarning Inc. All rights reserved
by Patrick Corcoran
Joan Lunden truly exemplifies today’s modern working woman. An award-winning journalist, bestselling author, motivational speaker, successful entrepreneur, one of America’s most recognized and trusted television personalities, this mom of seven continues to do it all. As host of Good Morning America for nearly two decades, Lunden brought insight to top issues for millions of Americans each day. The longest running host ever on early morning television, Lunden reported from 26 countries, covered 4 presidents and 5 Olympics and kept Americans up to date on how to care for their homes, their families and themselves.