Drop-side cribs recalled over hazards

A style of crib, popular with parents for its ease of use is the subject of a massive North American recall. More than two million drop-side cribs have been recalled in the US, and another 24,000 in Canada.

Drop-side cribs have a side panel which drops down to allow parents to easily take infants in and out of the crib. However the drop sides often malfunction, leading to the potential for suffocation or falls.

The cribs have been blamed for the deaths of at least 32 infants and toddlers since 2000, and are suspected in another 14 deaths. None of the cribs listed in the current recall have been associated with death or serious injury.

In the United States the Consumer Products Safety Commission has promised to ban their manufacture and sale by the end of this year.

"This new recall announcement is part of a larger effort by CPSC to clean up the marketplace from many of these unsafe cribs," said CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum.

It's not clear at this point whether the ban will extend to Canada.

A project leader with Safe Kids Canada says Canada needs stronger consumer legislation to be able to recall or ban unsafe products such as drop-side cribs.

"We're really reliant on the US at this point in time, for them to tell us when there are problems with products, because the current act, the Hazardous Products Act is actually quite weak because it's over fifty years old," Denice Boxall said in an interview with CBC News.

Earlier this month Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq reintroduced a consumer protection bill that would allow mandatory recalls. It has not passed Parliament.

The current Canadian recall is voluntary on behalf of five manufacturers and distributors of drop-side cribs.

The Canadian recalls include:

• Delta drop-side cribs sold between July 2005 and October 2008.
• Dorel Distribution Canada, model number 10DV611BC, sold between 2005 and 2007.
• Million Dollar Baby cribs sold between February 2007 and March 2010.
• Drop-side cribs by Simmons Juvenile Products sold from 2005 to June 2007.
• 'Scandi' model drop-side cribs made by LaJobi, sold from August 2009 to February 2010.

Health Canada says consumers should check the drop-side hardware for wear, damage and proper installation. If any problems are found they're advised to stop using the crib immediately and find alternative sleeping arrangements for their baby.