The Recall Desk
CriticalCPSC·79066·Announced 1979-11-28

Bassett Baby Cribs Recalled for Infant Strangulation Hazard

Bassett Candlelite and Mandalay cribs are recalled because infants can trap their heads between corner posts and headboards, causing strangulation.

What this means for you

Highest-severity recall. Risk of serious injury or death is documented or strongly suspected. Stop using the product now and follow the agency's instructions.

Our severity reasoning: The source text explicitly states that CPSC received six reports of infant deaths, which mandates a Critical severity score of 5 according to the rubric.

Plain-English summary

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a warning regarding Bassett Candlelite and Mandalay baby cribs manufactured by Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc. The recall addresses a design defect where infants can trap their heads between a corner post and the headboard or footboard, creating a risk of strangulation. CPSC received six reports of infant deaths associated with these cribs since September 1977.

The affected Mandalay cribs, featuring a bamboo-like motif, were manufactured from February 1974 through October 1976. Specific models include 5126-505 and 5621-505 (painted yellow) and 5225-505 (painted white). The Candlelite cribs, featuring a traditional colonial design, were manufactured from December 1975 to mid-October 1977. Models include 5028-505 and 5028-510 (stained in maple) and 5127-505 and 5127-510 (stained in pine). Model numbers are located on adhesive labels on the inside of the headboard below the mattress level.

Consumers should immediately remove all four finials (decorative knobs) from the corner posts of Mandalay cribs and contact the retailer or Bassett to report the removal. For Candlelite cribs, consumers should contact the retailer to arrange for free installation of modifying parts to close the openings in the headboards and footboards. Until repairs are completed, parents should push one end of the crib against a wall and place a high piece of furniture against the other end to prevent access to the hazardous openings.

The recalled product

Product
Bassett Candlelite cribs
Manufacturer
Bassett

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.