This is the latest.  The second on in a year for Storkcraft.  Wow.  Please read all of the details below, and sign up for our newsletter to get the latest recalls.

DATE:  November 24, 2009

Product Name: Stork Craft Drop-Side Cribs and Stork Craft Drop-Side Cribs with Fisher-Price Logo

Joint Recall with Stork Craft, Health Canada and the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (US CPSC)

Full Product Description

This recall involves Stork Craft drop-side cribs with plastic hardware, including Stork Craft drop-side cribs that were sold with the Fisher-Price logo. This recall does not involve any cribs with metal rod drop-side hardware. The cribs were sold in various styles and finishes. The manufacture date, model number, and crib name are printed on the assembly instruction sheet that is attached to the mattress support board.

Stork Craft drop-side cribs: The recall includes products with manufacture and distribution dates between January 1993 and October 2009.

Stork Craft drop-side cribs with Fisher-Price logo: The recall also includes products with manufacture dates between October 1997 and December 2004. The Fisher Price logo can be found on the teething rail, in the manufacturer’s instructions, and on the assembly instruction sheet attached to the mattress support board. The logo is also on the end panels of the Twinkle-Twinkle and Crystal crib models.

Hazard Identified

The cribs’ drop-side plastic hardware can break or deform. In addition, the drop-side can be installed upside-down, which can result in broken or disengaged plastic parts. All of these problems can cause the drop-side to detach in one or more corners. When the drop-side detaches, it creates space between the drop-side and the crib mattress. The bodies of infants and toddlers can become entrapped in the space which can lead to suffocation. Complete detachment of drop-sides can lead to falls from the crib. Please note that these products meet current safety standards. However, the reported incidents have demonstrated that the plastic hardware can break.

In Canada, there have been 3 reports of entrapment and 8 reports of falls from these cribs. There have also been 32 other reported incidents related to broken plastic drop-side hardware.

In the United States, there have been 12 reports of entrapments, including 4 incidents of suffocation, and 12 reports of falls from these cribs. There have also been 43 other reported incidents related to broken plastic drop-side hardware.

Parents and caregivers are reminded to check their baby’s crib regularly before using it and are instructed not to use it if any parts are loose or missing, or if there are any signs of damage. Only parts obtained from the original manufacturer must be used for repairs. Do not repair broken parts with tape, wire or rope. Contact the manufacturer if replacement parts or additional instructions are needed.

For more information on crib requirements in Canada, as well as the safe use of cribs, see Health Canada’s Crib Safety Booklet. For more information on safe sleeping practices for infants, see Health Canada’s Consumer Information – Safe Sleep Practices for Infants.

Corrective Action

Consumers should carefully examine the plastic drop-side hardware for any signs of damage or that the drop-side is installed up-side down. If there is reason for concern, consumers should immediately stop using the recalled cribs and find an alternative, safe sleeping environment for their baby.

Consumers should not return the crib. Any consumer with a crib subject to this recall should contact Stork Craft to receive a free repair kit that converts the drop-side of the crib to a fixed side.

If consumers determine that their drop-side has been installed up-side down, or the drop-side hardware is broken, loose, missing, or deformed, they should immediately stop using the crib, find an alternative safe sleeping environment for their baby, and contact Stork Craft to receive replacement parts in addition to the repair kit.

Stork Craft Instructional Video for conversion of drop-side crib to fixed side crib (available in English only).

For more information, consumers may contact Stork Craft toll-free at 1-877-274-0277 or visit the firm’s website.

Consumers may view the release by the US CPSC on the Commission’s website .

Number Sold

In Canada, approximately 968,841 of the recalled products were distributed. These cribs were sold at Sears Canada, Wal-Mart Canada and various other specialty retailers.

In the United States, approximately 1,213,000 units were distributed.

Time Period Sold

The recalled products were sold from January 1993 to October 2009.

Manufactured in Canada, China, and Indonesia.

Companies

Manufacturer
Stork Craft Manufacturing Inc. of Richmond, British Columbia

Date: January 2009
Product Name: Stork Craft Baby Cribs

Full Product Description: All Stork Craft cribs with a manufacturing date between May 2000 and November 2008 are included in this voluntary recall. The manufacturing date can be found on the lower right hand corner of the instruction sheet which is glued on the mattress base.

The cribs were sold in various styles and finishes. The manufacture date, model number, crib name, country of origin, and the firm’s name, address, and contact information are located on the assembly instruction sheet attached to the mattress support board. The firm’s insignia “storkcraft baby” is inscribed on the drop side teething rail of some cribs.

Hazard Identified: The metal support brackets used to support the mattress frame can crack and break after stress is put upon them during incorrect installation. If one or more support brackets break, the mattress could potentially collapse and create a dangerous gap between the mattress and crib rails in which a child can become entrapped and suffocate.

Health Canada has received one complaint in which the metal mattress support bracket failed. No injury resulted from this incident.

Please note that these products meet current safety standards. This notice is posted as a precautionary measure. Stork Craft, in cooperation with Health Canada, is conducting a voluntary recall of this consumer product.

For more information on crib requirements in Canada, as well as the safe use of cribs, visit  Health Canada’s Crib Safety – Booklet

For more information on safe sleeping practices for infants, visit Health Canada’s Consumer Information – Safe Sleep Practices for Infants.

Corrective Action: All consumers should carefully examine the support brackets for any signs that they may be damaged. If there is reason for concern, consumers should immediately stop using the recalled cribs and find an alternative, safe sleeping environment for their baby.

Consumers should not return the crib. All consumers with cribs manufactured between May 2000 and November 2008 should contact Stork Craft to receive a free replacement kit with new mattress support brackets.

For more information, consumers may contact Stork Craft toll-free at 866-361-3321 anytime to order the free replacement kit or log on to the firms Web site.

Number Sold: Approximately 494, 000 cribs were sold in Canada.

Time Period Sold: These cribs were sold between May 2000 and January 12, 2009 at major retailers nationwide.

Manufactured in Canada, China and Indonesia.

Manufacturer: Stork Craft Manufacturing Inc. of Richmond, British Columbia.