Got wind of this recall from the good folks at Kids In Danger, who work hard to keep kids safe and keep a close eye on this kind of stuff…
Seems like yet another problem has surfaced with Simplicity Cribs. On July 2, 2009, the Consumer Product Safety Commission[CPSC] announced a voluntary recall of Simplicity Drop Side Cribs. The cribs were distributed by Simplicity Inc, and SFCA of Reading, Pennysylvania. Apparently both companies have suspended day to day operations. A picture of the hazard created by the defect, is available below [in an absurdly large size because I don’t have the slightest idea how to reduce these things].
The specific hazard involves the crib’s plastic hardware. The hardware can break or deform, leading the drop side of the crib to detach. When the drop side detaches, a space is created between the drop side and the crib mattress. Small children can get themselves stuck in the space, leading to suffocation.
The CPSC is aware of one death involving an 8 month old child in Houston, Texas. The child became entrapped and suffocated between the drop side and the mattress when a plastic connector on the drop side broke. CPSC is also aware of another 25 incidents where the drop side improperly detached from the crib. Thankfully no injuries were reported.
Additional information is available via the actual recall notice.