Information for Consumers: Drop-Side Crib Recalls

All cribs, including drop-side models, that are sold, advertised or imported into Canada must comply with the requirements of the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act (CCPSA)'s Cribs, Cradles and Bassinets Regulations. It is important to note that Canada has different crib safety requirements than the United States (US). Health Canada has some of the strictest requirements in the world relating to the structural integrity of cribs and cradles. It is the responsibility of industry to ensure that their cribs meet Canadian safety requirements. In addition, the Department regularly tests cribs available on the marketplace to verify that they meet the strict requirements of the Regulations. Health Canada takes enforcement action when cribs are found to be non-compliant with these Regulations.

In Canada, certain models of drop-side cribs were being recalled voluntarily by the companies identified in the following table. Of the 5 recall notices posted on June 24, 2010 in Canada, Health Canada has received two reports of quality issues concerning the drop-side hardware of Delta cribs and the Department has also received one report of a Dorel crib drop-side failure which occurred after the drop-side had been incorrectly installed. None of these three reports resulted in injury. These drop-side crib recalls were initiated in the US due to reports of drop-side failures received by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (US CPSC). In cases where affected models were sold in Canada, the involved companies have agreed to extend these recalls to Canadian consumers.

Involved Company	Situation in Canada
Child Craft, LLC	The drop-side crib model that is being recalled in the US was not sold in Canada.
Evenflo Inc.	The drop-side crib models that are being recalled in the US were not sold in Canada.
Delta Enterprise	Delta has voluntarily agreed to recall the following crib models in Canada: 4842-2, 4842-41, 4842-42, 4857-1, 4857-3, or 4857-4. recall notice
Simmons Juvenile Products, a division of Delta Enterprise	Delta has voluntarily agreed to recall all drop-side cribs sold under the brand name "Simmons Juvenile Products". recall notice
Dorel Distribution Canada (Jardine Enterprise Ltd. in the US)	Dorel Distribution Canada has voluntarily agreed to recall the following crib model in Canada: 10DV611BC. recall notice
Isis Inc. (Lajobi Inc. in the US)	Isis Inc. has voluntarily agreed to recall the following crib model in Canada: Scandi. recall notice
Million Dollar Baby (also known as Bexco Enterprises Inc. in the US)	Million Dollar Baby has voluntarily agreed to recall the following crib models in Canada: M0391, M0591, M1701, M2301, M4801, M5901 and M5921. recall notice

Repair Kits

Canadian owners of cribs affected by the recalls of June 24, 2010 should note that Health Canada has not yet been supplied with any of the drop-side repair kits that will be offered by the involved companies. Health Canada will assess the safety of the proposed kits on a priority basis as soon as they are available. Once the Department has completed its analysis of the proposed repair kits, Health Canada's recall postings, noted in the above table, will be updated.

It is important that all affected consumers carefully examine their crib's drop-side hardware for any signs of damage and that the drop-side is not installed upside down. If there is any reason for concern, consumers should immediately stop using the cribs and find an alternative, safe sleeping environment for their baby. For more information on safe sleeping practices for babies, see Health Canada's Consumer Information: Safe Sleep Practices for Infants.

Background

Between January 2000 and May 7, 2010, Health Canada received 90 complaints involving crib drop-sides of all models sold in Canada, including the crib models being recalled on June 24, 2010. Of these 90 complaints, 52 were associated with the Storkcraft drop-side cribs that were recalled on November 24, 2009. The 90 reported drop-side complaints were associated with 81 non-injury related complaints, seven reports of bumps and bruises, one report of a concussion and one death. However, this death occurred in a crib where the original drop-side hardware had been replaced with parts that were not supplied by the manufacturer. The crib was also in a general state of disrepair.

Between January 2000 and May 7, 2010, the US CPSC received 32 reports of infant and toddler suffocation and strangulation deaths, as well as hundreds of incidents that were related to drop-sides detaching from cribs made by various crib manufacturers. Of the 32 deaths that were directly attributed to the drop-side failures, some occurred in cribs where the drop-side detached without the caregivers noticing, while some of the deaths occurred after a consumer had tried to repair the detached drop-side.

What Health Canada is Doing

In an effort to help make infant sleeping accommodations even safer, changes to the existing Regulations for cribs and cradles have been proposed by Health Canada, as well as new requirements for bassinets.

Health Canada is also actively participating in discussions with Canadian and US manufacturers, safety advocates and US CPSC officials regarding the overall safety of cribs. In the fall of 2010, Health Canada intends to launch a public consultation soliciting the views of Canadians regarding a proposed prohibition of the future sale, advertisement and importation of drop-side cribs in Canada. This consultation will inform our future decision-making on this issue.

What Can You Do?

Regularly check the safety of your child's crib:

• Check the Consumer Product Recalls Database to check if your crib has been recalled and what further action is recommended.
• Check the crib often to make sure the frame is solid. Tighten loose screws regularly.
• Do not use a crib if it cannot be assembled properly according to the instructions or if they are missing any parts.
• Only use parts obtained from the original manufacturer for repairs. Do not repair broken crib parts with tape, wire or rope.
• If there are signs of damage, stop using the crib right away and find an alternative safe sleeping environment for their child.

General Safe Sleep Guidelines:

• The safest place for a baby to sleep is in a crib manufactured after 1986.
• Place infants on their backs to sleep.
• Do not use soft mattresses, pillows, comforters, stuffed toys and bumper pads in cribs.
• Never allow an infant to sleep on the same surface as an adult or another child.
• Do not allow an infant to sleep in a stroller, swing, bouncer or car seat for long periods of time.

More information on cribs and safe sleep practices for infants

• Crib Safety - Fact Sheet
• Crib Safety - Booklet
• Consumer Information - Safe Sleep Practices for Infants
• Public Health Agency of Canada -  Safe Sleep for Your Baby
•  Cribs and Cradles Regulations