CPSC Warns Against Dropside Mesh-Sided Cribs and Playpens

Plain-English summary

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and nine manufacturers announced that dropside mesh-sided cribs and playpens are hazardous when a child is left in them with a side down. The affected products are manufactured by Bilt-Rite Juvenile Products, Century Products, Collier-Keyworth, Cosco, Grace Metal Products, Pride-Trimble, Spalding & Evenflo, Strolee of California, and Welsh Company.

Children may asphyxiate or suffocate in the loose mesh of the lowered side. Since 1978, fifteen young children have died when left in these products with a side down; nine died in playpens and six in cribs. Seven of the victims were six weeks old or younger. The children rolled or moved off the floor into the mesh pocket formed by the lowered side and suffocated. Other injuries, such as brain damage, can also occur if children become caught in the mesh pocket.

This announcement is part of a notice campaign that includes mailing warning letters to households with children nine months of age or younger and sending warning posters to obstetricians. Consumers should not leave children in dropside mesh-sided cribs and playpens with a side down. For more information, consumers may call the CPSC toll-free hotline at 800-638-CPSC.

The recalled product

Product

Bilt-Rite Juvenile Products dropside mesh-sided cribs and playpens

Manufacturer

Welsh

Category

Consumer Product — Cribs and Playpens

Hazard

• suffocation
• asphyxiation

Distribution

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