On July 2, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a recall for 400,000 Simplicity Job Side Cribs. The problem is that the cribs’ plastic hardware breaks or deforms, which causes the drop side to detach. When this happens it creates space between the drop side and the crib mattress, allowing infants and toddlers to roll into the space and become entrapped, which can lead to suffocation.

At the time of the recall, the CPSC was aware of the death of one eight month old and an additional 25 incidents with no injuries. The CPSC recommended that users immediately stop using the recall cribs and find an alternative, safe sleeping environment for their baby. www.cpsc.gov/cribs.html.

This news is disturbing, but what is equally disturbing is the defects in childrens’ cribs is not new. The CPSC reports that 13 children have died in recalled Simplicity Cribs or bassinets. The CPSC has provided a long list on its website going back to May of 2005 of nine separate recalls of Simplicity brand cribs or bassinets, as well as two recalls for Simplicity Play Yards.

Simplicity is out of business. That does not mean, however, that users of the crib should give up on replacements. Anyone having one of these products should take it back to the purchaser for a refund, replacement or store credit. Since the total of over 4,000,000 Simplicity Cribs have been recalled, it is very likely that many of these cribs are still in use.

If you have a Simplicity crib, should you stop using it? Yes. If you have a chance to get a used crib, should you? No. Hand-me-down cribs can be very dangerous. Many will not meet current standards, and thus can be very unsafe for babies.

If you have a need for a crib, buying a new crib is a much safer step than saving money by buying a used crib or using one someone else has given you.