According to a press release from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, approximately 535,000 Stork Craft cribs are being recalled. Stork Craft Manufacturing Inc., of British Columbia, Canada, has cooperated with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in announcing the voluntary recall.
There have been 10 incidents reported of problems with the metal support brackets located on the crib. In all 10 cases, the mattress support brackets broke and in several incidents, the mattress collapsed, which created a dangerous gap between the mattress and crib rails. There was one report of a toddler who received bruises on his forehead as a result of the broken brackets. Another report involved a child who became entrapped in the gap between the mattress and the drop side rail.
Based on these reports, there is a risk of the metal support brackets on the Stork Craft cribs used to support the crib mattress and mattress board breaking or cracking. If one or more of the support brackets break, the mattress can collapse and create a gap between the mattress and crib rails, which could cause a young child to become entrapped and suffocate.
The cribs included in the recall have manufacturing and distribution dates between May 2000 and November 2008. The manufacture date, model number, crib name, country of origin and the firm’s name, address and contact information can be found on the assembly instruction sheet attached to the mattress support board. The company’s insignia “storkcraft baby” is inscribed on the drop side teething rail of some cribs. These cribs came in various styles and finishes.
The cribs were sold by major retailers, including J.C. Penney, Kmart and Walmart, as well as online at Amazon.com, Babiesrus.com, Costco.com, Sears.com and Walmart.com from May 2000 through January 2009 for between $100 and $400.
Parents and caregivers are urged to stop using the recalled cribs. Consumers can contact the manufacturer for a free replacement kit at (866) 361-3321.
