January 19, 2010: Dorel Asia Recalls Drop Side and Non-Drop Side Cribs

Recall Reason

Many models of the crib are included in this recall. Image here represents just one.

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Dorel Asia SRL, of Barbados, has announced a recall to replace about 635,000 drop side and non-drop side cribs that pose suffocation and strangulation hazards to infants and toddlers.

The drop-side hardware can fail causing the drop side to detach from the crib. When the drop side detaches it creates a space in which an infant or toddler can become entrapped and suffocate or strangle. In addition, the recalled cribs can pose a serious entrapment and strangulation hazard when a slat is damaged. This can occur while the crib is in use, in storage, being put together, taken apart, or reassembled, or during shipping and handling.

CPSC and Dorel Asia SRL received a report of the death of 6-month-old child from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, who became entrapped and strangled in a crib after the drop-side hardware broke. The crib continued to be used after the parents tried to repair the drop side themselves. CPSC and Dorel Asia received reports of 31 drop-side incidents. In six of those incidents, children were entrapped between the drop side and crib mattress. Three children suffered from bruises as a result of the entrapment. In addition, CPSC and Dorel Asia received reports of 36 incidents of slat breakage, including seven reports of bruises and scratches to children, and two reports of entrapment that resulted in no injury.

Do You Own This Product?

Click here to see the official recall.

The following Dorel Asia crib model numbers are involved in the recall:

WM1633
WM1633-0
WM1676BC
WM1676BCR-DC
WM2163
WM2163DC
WM1633-0-DC
GP004B3EGR
GP004B3WGR
GP006BCEGR
GP006BCWGR
DA1615B3
DAKM5132
DASE5005
DASE5009
DA0504KMC-1N
DA0504KMC-1W
DA1614B3
DAKM5152
DASE5015

The cribs sold at K-Mart, Sears, and Wal-Mart stores nationwide from January 2005 through December 2009 for between $120 and $700.

The cribs were manufactured in China and Vietnam.

Whom to Contact

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled cribs, find an alternative safe sleeping environment for your child, and contact Dorel Asia to receive a free replacement kit. Consumers should log on to www.dorel-asia.com to order the free replacement kit to prevent child entrapment in these cribs. The repair kits will be provided to owners within the next several weeks. Consumers can also call Dorel Asia toll-free at (866) 762-2304 between 8 AM and 4:30 PM EST Monday through Friday.

Important Message from CPSC: CPSC reminds parents not to use any crib with missing, broken, or loose parts. Make sure to tighten hardware from time to time to keep the crib sturdy. When using a drop-side crib, parents should check to make sure the drop side or any other moving part operates smoothly. Always check all sides and corners of the crib for disengagement. Disengagements can create a gap and entrap a child. In addition, do not try to repair any side of the crib, especially with duct tape, wire, or rope.