Dorel Asia recalls cribs; Poses strangulation and suffocation hazards

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, and Dorel Asia SRL, of Barbados, is recalling, to replace, drop side and non-drop side cribs that pose suffocation and strangulation hazards to infants and toddlers. Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled cribs until replacement kits are obtained and installed.

Name of Product: Dorel Asia cribs

Units: About 635,000

Distributor: Dorel Asia SRL, of Barbados

Hazard: 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. They can pose a serious hazard when a slat is damaged which can occur while the crib is in use, in storage, being put together, taken apart or reassembled, or during shipping and handling.

Reports: CPSC and Dorel Asia SRL received a report of the death of 6-month old child 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 with no injury.

Description: The following Dorel Asia cribs are involved in the recall:

WM1633 Drop side 3-1 Sleigh Crib – Cherry

WM1633-0 Drop side 3-1 Sleigh Crib - Cherry (no castors)

WM1676BC Fixed 4-1 Bethany James Crib – Walnut

WM1676BCR-DC Fixed 2-1 Crib – Walnut

WM2163 Fixed 4-1 Crib – Manhattan Walnut

WM2163DC Fixed 4-1 Crib – Manhattan Walnut

WM1633-0-DC Fixed 3-1 Sleigh Crib (no castors)

GP004B3EGR Drop side 3-1 Convertible – Espresso

GP004B3WGR Drop side 3-1 Convertible – White

GP006BCEGR Drop side Single – Espresso

GP006BCWGR Drop side Single – White

DA1615B3 Drop side 3-1 Convertible Crib – Natural

DAKM5132 Drop side 3-1 Convertible Crib – White

DASE5005 Drop side Cottage Hill Single Crib – White

DASE5009 Drop side Vintage Estate 3-1 Sleigh Crib – Cherry

DA0504KMC-1N Drop side 3-1 Heritage Crib – Natural

DA0504KMC-1W Drop side 3-1 Heritage Crib – White

DA1614B3 Drop side 3-1 Lexington Crib – Cherry

DAKM5152 Drop side Single Jenny Lind Crib - Walnut

DASE5015 Drop side 3-1 Convertible - Toffee

Sold at: K-Mart, Sears and Walmart stores nationwide from January 2005 through December 2009 for between $120 and $700.

Manufactured in: China and Vietnam

Remedy: 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 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.

Consumer Contact: Call Dorel Asia toll-free at (866) 762-2304 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Web site.

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.

Visit CPSC's Crib Information Center for more information on Crib Safety and Recalls.