On July 14th the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced that Pottery Barn Kids, a division of Williams-Sonoma, Inc., is initiating a voluntary recall of drop-side cribs. This recall involves all Pottery Barn Kids drop-side cribs regardless of the model number and affects about 82,000 products.
The cribs’ drop-sides can detach when hardware breaks, creating a space into which a young child can become entrapped and suffocate, or fall out of the crib. Drop side incidents also occur due to incorrect assembly and with age-related wear and tear.
CPSC and Pottery Barn Kids have received 36 reports of drop sides that have malfunctioned or detached, resulting in seven minor injuries when children fell out of the cribs or got their legs caught between the mattress and the drop side. One child became entrapped at the head between the drop side and crib mattress but was freed without injury.
These cribs were sold exclusively through the Pottery Barn Kids catalog, www.potterybarnkids.com, and at Pottery Barn Kids retail stores nationwide from January 1999 through March 2010 for between $300 and $600. Pottery Barn Kids is printed on a label attached to the crib headboard or footboard.
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled cribs, inspect the hardware to make sure it is not broken, and contact Pottery Barn Kids to receive a free fixed-gate conversion kit that will immobilize the drop side. For a complete list of all models included in the recall go to the firm’s web site at www.potterybarnkids.com.
CPSC reminds parents:
Not to use any crib with missing, broken, or loose parts. Make sure to tighten hardware from time to time to keep the crib sturdy. When using a drop-side crib, parents should check to make sure the drop side or any other moving part operates smoothly. Always check all sides and corners of the crib for disengagement. Disengagements can create a gap and entrap a child. In addition, do not try to repair any side of the crib. Babies have died in cribs where repairs were attempted by caregivers. Age is factor in the safety of any crib. At a minimum, CPSC staff recommends that you not use a crib that is older than 10 years. Many older cribs may not meet current voluntary standards and can have numerous safety problems.
If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product and have questions about your legal rights, fill out a Free Case Evaluation, and we will be sure to contact you.
The Law Offices of Eric H Weinberg have been litigating personal injury cases for over 20 years and we pledge to use our experience to help you understand your legal options. To learn about our recent efforts on behalf of personal injury victims please visit Accutane Crohn's Lawsuit, Food Poisoning Lawyer, and Yasmin Attorney.
