WASHINGTON - Approximately 73,000 wood cribs imported by JC Penney Corp. and sold during a 10-year period have been recalled by its Indonesian manufacturer.
PT Domusindo Perdana, maker of the style of cribs, now banned from being sold in the United States, issued the recall after being made aware of three reported incidents involving drop side rails that malfunctioned or detached. No injuries were reported, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
JC Penney sold the cribs under 14 different brand names such as "Christopher," "Early American" and "Sleigh Bed" between 1998 and 2008. The products sold through JC Penney catalog and online for $200 and $400.
CPSC said a free "immobilizer kit" will be available beginning next month from Modus Furniture International. CPSC urged consumers to refrain from using the recalled cribs until they install the drop-side rail locking device.
This was at least the third recall of drop-side cribs imported and sold by JC Penney in the last 18 months.
In October 2011, 8,000 drop-side cribs manufactured byYu Wei Company of Taiwan were recalled following reports of nine drop-side rail malfunctions, including one incident causing minor injuries.
Last April, 16,700 drop-side cribs manufactured by Nan Fair Woodworking Co. of Taiwan were recalled following five reports of crop-side crib malfunctions. In one case, a child was entrapped and sustained minor scratches.h
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said the drop-side rails can malfunction, detach or unexpectedly fall down, potentially creating an entrapment hazard. Nine drop-side rail malfunctions have been reported, including one in which a child sustained minor abrasions to the arm.
In December 2010, the CPSC banned the sale and resale of drop-side cribs, citing that the popular infant sleep products were linked to more than than 30 children's deaths and more than 11 million recalls during the first decade of the 21st century. The ban went into effect in June 2011 and includes thrift stores, garage sales and online transactions. In addition, the rule requires child-care centers and hotels to stop using drop-side cribs.
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