More than 11,000 drop-side cribs sold at JCPenney are being recalled because the drop-side rail hardware can break or fail, allowing the drop side crib to detach from the crib and ultimately posing a risk of strangulation or suffocation to an infant. Two incidents of hardware failure were reported, one of which involved a crib that was misassembled. No injuries were reported.
The Alexander Designs Ltd. brand cribs were sold in JCPenney catalogs and through the store’s web site from March 2003 through April 2007 for about $200.
The announcement marks the second recall this year for the crib’s manufacturer, Jardine Enterprises Ltd. of Taipei, Taiwan. That June 2010 recall was part of a wave of recalls by the Consumer Product Safety Commission involving drop-side cribs. The June recall included other models which accounted for 47 incidents of drop-side detachments or malfunctions, resulting in several injuries.
When the drop sides fail — sometimes because they are misassembled — a space is created where an infant can become wedged or entrapped, which can lead to strangulation, suffocation, bruises, or broken bones.
The following model names, JCPenney item numbers and colors are included in the recall:
- Alexander 3-in-1 Crib Item# 343-8359 Honey Pine or White
- Alexander Classic Crib Item# 343-8180 Honey Pine, White, or Cherry
- Alexander Sleigh Crib Item# 343-8802 Cherry or White
Consumers should stop using the cribs, find a safe sleeping environment for the child, and contact Jardine at 1-800-295-1980 to receive a free drop-size immobilizer kit. Jardine also has a video available on its web site.
At press time, JCPenney did not disclose the recall on its web site, however Jardine did, and it receives the credit for the 4-check rating.
