Shermag Recalls to Repair Drop-Side Cribs Due to Entrapment, Suffocation and Fall Hazards

U.S. Consumer Product
Safety Commission
www.cpsc.gov Health Canada
   www.hc-sc.gc.ca

Shermag Recalls to Repair Drop-Side Cribs Due to Entrapment, Suffocation and Fall Hazards

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Drop-side cribs

Units: About 2,300; about 800 in Canada

Manufacturer: Shermag Inc., of Quebec, Canada

Hazard: The drop-side rail hardware on the cribs can break or fail, allowing the drop side to detach from the crib. When the drop side detaches, a hazardous gap is created between the drop-side rail and the crib mattress in which infants and toddlers can become wedged or entrapped, posing risks of suffocation and strangulation. In addition, children can fall out of the crib when the drop-side rail falls unexpectedly or detaches from the crib. Drop-side rail failures can also occur due to incorrect assembly or with age-related wear and tear.

Incidents/Injuries: CPSC and the firm are aware of 21 incidents involving drop sides that failed or detached. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves wooden drop-side cribs with hidden drop-side hardware. The cribs were sold in various colors. Model numbers 202647, 211047 and 272547 are included in this recall. The cribs were sold separately and as part of the City Lights, Fairy Tales and Dormez Vous furniture collections. Shermag is printed on a tag on the mattress springs. The model numbers can be found on stickers and warning labels on the cribs headboard or footboard.

Sold at: The Land of Nod and other baby specialty stores from September 2004 through December 2008 for between $400 and $800.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should stop using these cribs immediately and contact the firm to request a free repair kit that will immobilize the drop-side. In the meantime, parents are urged to find an alternate, safe sleeping environment for the child, such as a bassinet, play yard or toddler bed depending on the childs age.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Shermag at (800) 567-3419 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firms website at http://www.shermag.com

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 parts separating that can create a gap and entrap a child. In addition, do not try to repair any side of the crib. Babies have died in cribs where repairs were attempted by caregivers. Crib age is a factor in safety. At a minimum, CPSC staff recommends that you do not use a crib that is older than 10 years old. Effective June 28, 2011, new, mandatory federal crib rules require that all cribs manufactured and sold after that date must meet new and improved safety requirements (pdf). Older cribs do not meet the new standard and can have a variety of safety problems. Check if your crib has been recalled at www.cpsc.gov

Note: Health Canada’s press release is available at http://cpsr-rspc.hc-sc.gc.ca/PR-RP/recall-retrait-eng.jsp?re_id=1426

Model 202647

Model 211047

Model 272547