As we discussed in a previous blog post, the sale of drop-side cribs was banned earlier this year. This ban is due to a defective design that can hurt and even kill children. While these types of cribs are no longer available to purchase in stores, there are still plenty of them being used regularly by consumers who purchased the crib before the ban took effect.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recently announced the recall of around 8,000 drop-side cribs that were exclusively sold at the retailer JC Penney. The concern is that the rail will move from the position it is intended making it possible for a baby or toddler to become stuck in the space created. It is feared in worst case scenarios that a child could suffocate or be strangled in the space. Though it fortunately does not appear that any children have died in this manner while using the crib, the CPSC reports that one child's arm was injured.

The cribs, manufactured by Yu Wei in Taiwan, were sold between January 2006 and December 2010 and ranged in price from $300 to $400. Named Scroll Crib and Lauren Crib, they were available in three colors.

Yu Wei is providing a kit to immobilize the crib to those who contact the manufacturer. In the meantime, the crib should not be used.

The CPSC recommends that all people who are using drop-side cribs purchased before the ban took effect check to make sure that the model has not been recalled. It also suggests that regardless of recall status, cribs in use should not be older than 10-years-old.

Source: Consumer Reports, "Recall: 8,000 drop-side cribs sold at JC Penney-entrapment, suffocation hazards," Maggie Shader, Oct. 6, 2011