Feds Ending Manufacture of Drop-Side Cribs

(CBS)  The federal government has issued a strong and renewed warning about drop-side cribs which, it says, can be dangerous or even deadly for babies.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) says, over the past 10 years at least 32 children have died in drop-side cribs. They may also be the cause of an additional 14 deaths. Hundreds more have been injured.

Inez Tenenbaum, chairman of the CPSC, told CBS News, "We have determined that it is time now to stop the manufacture of drop-side cribs."

"Early Show" Consumer Correspondent Susan Koeppen first broke the news of the largest crib recall in U.S. history. She appeared on the broadcast Monday with more on what the government is doing now about these cribs.

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Koeppen reported that, over the last five years, there have been 11 recalls involving more than seven million cribs with drop-sides. The problem: The side rail can malfunction and create a space big enough for a child to strangle in.

And there's an effort now to make sure these types of cribs are off the market for good.

Koeppen shared the story of Michelle Witte, who never imagined the crib of her baby, Tyler, could be dangerous, let alone deadly.

Witte said, "That's every parents safe haven for their child, and to see the horrific sight of him strangled was just horrifying to me."

The 10-month-old was sleeping in a crib with a drop-down side, when his head got stuck in a gap between the side rail and the headboard.

Witte said, "I just immediately fell to my knees and started screaming."

Now the CPSC says it's taking aggressive action to rid the U.S. marketplace and American homes of these types of cribs.

Tenenbaum said, "I've promised to parents of America that we will have a new standard this year."

Of the 500,000 cribs sold in the U.S. in 2008, 100,000 had drop-sides. The problem with these cribs is the side rail, which moves up and down. Over time it can detach from the crib creating a space big enough for an infant to become trapped and suffocate.

Don Mays, senior director of product safety at Consumer Reports, said, "It's taken the government far too long to update their regulations on cribs. They need to write a regulation that's going to protect children in the future."

Major crib manufacturers have already agreed to a voluntary ban on drop-side cribs, Koeppen said. Some retailers, such as Toys 'R' Us, no longer sell them.

However, the federal ban, Koeppen observed, will be far-reaching, removing drop side cribs from stores, hotels and day care centers.

Witte, whose son died in drop-side crib, said, "We cannot have a crib that takes the lives of infants out there on the market."

On "The Early Show," Koeppen reminded viewers if they have a crib with a drop-side, they need to make sure it hasn't been recalled.

"You should check your crib very carefully," she said. "Stop using it if it's been recalled or if it has loose or missing parts."

She added the CPSC says it will continue to investigate drop side cribs still on the market.

Koeppen explained in a drop-side crib, the side rail detaches because the hardware breaks, it's plastic, and child slips through and suffocates.

She said some children have died in drop-side cribs where parents have tried to fix the side rail and the fix failed. Additionally, she said a lot of cribs are passed down.

Koeppen said, "The older the crib is the more prone it is to breaking, the wear and tear on putting the side rail up and down is too much."

[TropicalBeachLover]

My, what a communist country we are becoming! First the government is going to tell us what healthcare we will have, now they're saying it's illegal to own a drop-down crib. What next?

Since when does 32 deaths in 10 YEARS make for a ruling like this? Yet, TENS OF THOUSANDS of people die every year from smoking-related cancers, yet the FDA has done nothing to ban the sale of cigarettes! Nor have they done anything to stop food manufacturers from putting toxic additives in our food that are known carcinogens (the BPA lining in cans, oxybenzone in sunscreen, and many others - see harmfuladditives.com).

So, are they banning the cribs because the manufacturers wouldn't put enough hush money in the FDA's pocket? Apparently, when it comes to our safety, the only one looking out for you is YOU! We need a major overhaul of the FDA.

[karabearblu]

My grandparents bought me a $250 Luv crib for my baby shower. I feel bad b/c I have only used it once. While leaning over to put my baby in the crib, the droprail cracked and broke. What a well made crib!! I'd like to know how to get parts for it. It's not under warranty.

[HnRaj]

Exactly, people have been using this type of crib for decades without problems. The problem isn't the design, its the use of cheap parts in manufacturing. How about instead of banning the design, we mandate the use of good hardware? There will be other problems with these cribs in the future due to cheap manufacturing, I'd bet money on it. I'm pregnant right now & am seriously considering have a crib made rather than buying one of the pieces of crap on the market today.

[CompletelyFrustrated]

I never had any problems with my drop-side crib either! Then again the hardware on my crib was metal and I checked the hardware when I wiped down the crib - if something was loose I tightened it - seems like common sense.

People need to pay more attention to the things they put their babies in! This ranks right up there with those who think it is OK to stuff a newborn in a sling and figure they are fine! What is wrong with people??

PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR BABIES!!!!!

[noteaparty]

I'm assuming you didn't have any trouble with those cribs because they most likely had metal parts. CBS news should clarify this fact that most new cribs are made with plastic parts that can break. I do hope CBS news will run a follow up to this story and emphasize that not all drop side cribs are dangerous. I had no problems with mine and see no danger as long as the hardware and wood is in good condition. Please CBS run a followup to this and emphasize that it is cribs with plastic parts that are dangerous and that cribs with metal parts should not be put in the same category. Consider the overall condition of the crib not just a blanket ban on all drop side cribs.

[Grandmomof7]

I just don't understand! We've had drop sides on cribs forever!I grew up in the 50's with them, my own girls in the 70's and my home day care in the 80's. Never had a problem at all!