2010 Drop Side Crib Initiative
June 24, 2010
Crib Industry Launches Initiative to Secure Drop Sides
The crib industry launches initiative to secure drop sides with free immobilization devices and other solutions for drop side crib owners. The following manufacturers are providing drop side crib immobilizer kits for use with their products manufactured between 2000-2009:
• Delta Enterprise Corp., of New York, N.Y.- 877-342-3418
• Evenflo, of Miamisburg, Ohio- 800- 356-2229
• Jardine Enterprises/Babies R Us, of Taipei, Taiwan -800-295-1980
• LaJobi, of Cranbury, N.J. 888-738-5676
• Million Dollar Baby, of Montebello, Calif.- 888-673-6488
• Simmons Juvenile Products Inc. (SJP), of New London, Wisc.- 877 342-3439
• Childcraft, (this firm is out of business; no immobilizer available)- 866-614-0557
Childcraft is providing a decal kit and supplemental instruction sheet for certain models. Separately, they are offering a rebate coupon for the purchase of a new crib for select drop side models produced between 2000 and 2009.
It is important to mention that not all drop side cribs are included in today’s recall announcement. JPMA encourages all crib owners to inspect your crib immediately to see if it is included in the CPSC-issued announcement at www.cpsc.gov and contact the crib manufacturer directly to obtain the immobilization device.
Consumers can also call a toll free hotline 877-673-CRIB (2742) that JPMA has established for this announcement with a menu listing all the manufacturers cited in the CPSC announcement.
"JPMA is dedicated to creating an awareness of the safest sleep environments for babies. We support the efforts of the CPSC and the JPMA member manufacturers who are providing a free immobilization device or other solutions for drop side cribs cited in today’s recall announcement," said Michael Dwyer, CAE Executive Director of JPMA. "The seven companies cited in today’s voluntary recall want to give drop side crib owners a remedy to allay fears they may have with their crib."
The cribs included in the recall were manufactured, between 2000 and 2009 and does not involve cribs currently being sold.
"JPMA reminds crib owners that infants should only be placed in the safest sleep environment. To this end, it is important for all parents and caregivers to be aware that the safest place for a child is in a fully functional, properly assembled crib," said Dwyer.
As part of this effort, the CPSC has acknowledged that issues with drop sides can occur due to misassembly or age-related wear and tear and have advised consumers to get new cribs if their cribs are older than 10 years of age. JPMA is focusing its efforts on safe sleep initiatives which the CPSC has acknowledged in their announcement. Also included in CPSC messaging is an acknowledgment for the first time that many times more infants are at risk from being placed in unsafe sleeping environments than in a perfectly safe crib, as well as acknowledgment that cribs are the safest place for infants to sleep.
JPMA Provides Safe Sleep Resources to Consumers
Each year, JPMA sponsors Baby Safety Month in September, and in 2010 JPMA has launched a multifaceted campaign aimed at Safe Sleep education. JPMA has launched a website for consumers to visit www.cribsafety.org for a repository of Safe Sleep information. Through this portal, parents and caregivers can easily access a range of information pertaining to how to create a safe sleep environment, as well as a series of informative videos demonstrating safe sleep practices. The Safe Sleep website also links consumers directly to the parts, hardware and assembly instruction sections on several crib manufacturers’ websites, all accessible from one convenient location.
For Baby Safety Month 2010, JPMA will expand its Safe Sleep Campaign by embarking on a five-city education and sleep product donation tour. In each city, JPMA will facilitate donations of cribs and other safe sleep environments to children most in need. As part of the donation program, JPMA will provide Safe Sleep education materials to those receiving the products. The month-long donation tour will kick off in Chicago, with stops following in Milwaukee; New York; Washington, D.C.; and Philadelphia. JPMA will team up with industry leaders and collaborative partners to help disseminate safe sleep information in each city.
Throughout the Safe Sleep campaign, JPMA will communicate with the public through social media outlets, including a soon-to-be-launched blog on a portion of the JPMA website dedicated to parents and caregivers called "The ParentHood." It will provide perspectives from pediatric medical representatives, moms and dads with varied parenting experiences and other organizations focusing on pediatrics. It will also be available on Facebook and Twitter.
Parents and caregivers are reminded to routinely check all of their baby gear regularly for stability, misassembly or age-related wear and tear. If a crib is older than 10 years of age, JPMA advises consumers to get a new crib as it may not comply with current standards. Consumers should not use a crib 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.
LEARN MORE
JPMA HOTLINE: 877-673-2742 (877-673-CRIB)
CPSC RECALL HOTLINE: 800-638-2772