No More Drop-side Cribs

I have a solid wood drop-side crib that lasted through two kids and then it did exactly what it wasn't supposed to. The drop side came loose on one end and it became a choking and suffocation hazard. Luckily, my son was almost three by then so he wasn't in as much danger as a younger child (IMHO.) Now I have this expensive, solid wood crib that I need to throw out, but I just can't. It's sitting in my basement collecting dust. I keep trying to come up with ways I could reuse the wood. (As if I really have time to make something out of wood.)I do feel bad for mom and pop stores who have these cribs and will not be able to sell them. However, they are a safety hazard-I have seen it first hand. Do you have a drop-side crib?

FROM NBC: Drop-side cribs can no longer be made or sold in stores -- now that the government has mandated rigorous new crib safety standards. Cribs with sides that move up and down were originally designed to help moms and dads easily lift babies out of bed.

But the Consumer Product Safety Commission says drop-side cribs are dangerous and deadly -- and has banned them from stores. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D) New York: "They are a fundamental threat to the lives of infants and young children. That threat today stops."

The CPSC says malfunctioning hardware or assembly problems can cause the drop-side rail to detach and create a gap between the rail and the mattress -- where babies can get stuck and suffocate. 32 babies and toddlers have died that way in U.S. during the past decade.

Michelle Witte's son Tyler was one of them and died at just 10 months old. Michelle Witte - Mother: "I rocked him. I put him to bed at 1 o'clock in the morning after his 1am feeding. I never imagined that would happen." The new rules will also create stronger mattress supports and hardware and establish better safety testing.

The new standards will become mandatory in 6 months. Daycares and hotels will need to replace any drop-side cribs. The rules don't apply to those already in use in private homes, but prohibits re-selling used drop-side cribs.

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

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The Biggest Crib Recall Ever!

Four infants from 6 to 9 months old have died from being suffocated in their crib. It's the biggest crib recall ever! 2.1 million story craft drop down side cribs are being taken back to stores. This really makes me angry! Fortunately the crib we are using for the new baby does not have drop down sides. I just can't imagine losing a child by placing him in the crib! That is supposed to be the safety place to put a baby to sleep!

FROM ABC NEWS:

Parents are fuming over Monday's recall of 2.1 million Stork Craft drop-down side cribs, and a few are calling for all drop-side cribs to be banned.

And some say the recall is a frightening indication of inadequate safety testing of baby products including cribs, high chairs and strollers.

"Most parents are not aware that there was no requirement that the products be tested for safety before they were sold," said Nancy Cowles, who runs an child advocacy group called Kids in Danger.

That's not to say that safety and testing protocols do not already exist. In addition to requirements for the minimum height of adjustable rails, the Consumer Product Safety Commission maintains guidelines for the spacing and strength of the rails of these cribs. And last year, Congress passed a law requiring manufacturers to have their products safety-tested by an independent third party.

But consumer groups say the CPSC has not yet been able to push through tougher inspection requirements.

CPSC chairman Inez Tenenbaum told The Associated Press Tuesday that the agency didn't move quickly enough to issue the recall. Now, the CPSC is thinking of stiffening requirements.

"This company worked with us to put this recall together," CPSC spokeswoman Patty Davis said. But, Davis said in light of the recent problems, "The CPSC staff is looking at beefing up the standards."

The Stork Craft recall of cribs distributed between 1993 and 2009 is the largest crib recall in U.S. history, but not the first.

Three companies have issued major recalls of drop-side cribs over the past two years. In each recall, problems with the movable, drop-down side led to babies slipping and suffocating between the crib wall and the mattress.

Four children died as a result of 110 incidents with the Stork Craft drop-side cribs, according to a CPSC press release.

Telephone lines were busy at Stork Craft headquarters, and ABC News emails to a Stork Craft media representative were not returned.

Meanwhile, an emotional press conference was held in Suffolk County, N.Y., Tuesday where the parents of two infants killed by drop-side cribs watched as the first-in-the-nation law to ban the dangerous children's furniture was signed.

"There have been warnings over the years, there have been recalls over the years, but enough is enough," Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy said.

Under the new legislation, which goes into effect this February, any crib with three immovable sides and a fourth side that moves up and down will be illegal to sell in the county.

Anyone caught selling the banned cribs will be subject to a $500 fine for their first violation and $1,000 for any subsequent violations.

Next to Levy stood two couples whose sons died before the age of 1 due to a drop-side crib malfunction. Both families described their fight to get legislation banning the sale of the cribs in Suffolk County and the frustration of seeing drop-side cribs sold in stores, knowing they caused their children's death.

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

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Easy to Read Toy Recall List

I had my co-anchor and my pregnant producer checking their cribs for a recalled serial number this week.

I got this news release about an easy to read product recall list. I didn't think much of it until I took a look at the site. It really is a quick way to see if you have anything that has been recalled lately. I saw these super cute cribs on the list that look just like the one for Tim's (my co-anchor) little girl. Sure enough, it was the same brand. However, he went home and discovered his crib is just fine! Then, my producer, who is 6 1/2 months pregnant, thought she saw her crib on the list. She went home and discovered her crib is not recalled either. Thank goodness!

The Illinois Attorney General created the easy to read "Most Wanted" guide. It shows pictures with descriptions of some of the major recalls this year. The Consumer Product Safety Commission also has a recall list, but it is extensive and would take hours to click on each item to see the picture.

So here you go: Illinois Attorney General.gov

I hope you don't have anything on the list! Let me know if you do!

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

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