Dorel Asia Recalls 635,000 Cribs Due to Strangulation, Suffocation Hazards

Following reports of one infant dying and 10 more being injured, about 635,000 cribs made by Dorel Asia have been recalled due to the risks of strangulation and suffocation.

The Barbados-based manufacturer said the recent death of a six-month-old child in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, who became trapped in one of the drop-side beds, and other reports of infant injuries prompted the massive product recall announced by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

The drop side hardware on the beds can fail, causing the drop side to detach from the crib, product safety officials said. When the drop side separates, there may be a space created that is wide enough for an infant or toddler to become entrapped, suffocate, or strangle.

Also, the recalled cribs can pose a serious entrapment and strangulation hazard when a slat on the sides of the crib is broken, loose, or otherwise damaged.

Reports of Toddler Death, Injuries

The Iowa boy became entrapped and strangled in a crib after the drop side hardware broke, but bed remained in use after the parents tried to repair the drop side themselves, officials said.

There have been 31 reports of incidents involving the recalled drop-side cribs. 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, the CPSC and company officials said.

Dozens of Crib Models Recalled

There are 20 models of Dorel Asia cribs involved in the recall. For a complete listing of the model numbers included, see the CPSC recall notice.

The recalled cribs were sold at K-Mart, Sears, and Wal-Mart stores nationwide from January 2005 through December 2009 for between $120 and $700. The beds were manufactured in China and Vietnam.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled cribs, find an alternative safe sleeping environment for their child, and contact Dorel Asia to receive a free replacement kit, the CPSC said. Owners of the beds may 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, officials said.

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