They can also be found at secondhand stores. Many parents, however, still have drop-sides in their homes. 'But the fact that it is happening - that's what is important.'Ĭrib makers were already phasing out drop-side cribs over the last couple years, amid increasing problems with them.Īnd last year, the organization that sets voluntary industry standards - ASTM International - approved a drop-side ban. 'Yes, it's a long time coming,' said Ms Johns from Roseville, California. Parents who lost their children in drop-side cribs say Wednesday's ban couldn't come soon enough.Ĭhad Johns, whose nine-month-old son, Liam, died in a drop-side crib in 2005, said he was a little relieved. Ms Witte appeared at a news conference on Capitol Hill with Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, Representative Jan Schakowsky of Illinois, and Representative Joe Crowley, of New York, all of whom have pushed for stronger crib safety rules. 'I feel like it's a celebratory time because things are finally being done about the issue.' 'It's been a long 13 years,' said Ms Witte. Michele Witte of Merrick, N.Y., lost her 10-month-old son, Tyler, in 1997 when the drop-side rail on his crib came loose, partially detached and then trapped his neck between the rail and the headboard. They are suspected in another 14 infant fatalities. In all, drop-side cribs have been blamed in the deaths of at least 32 infants and toddlers since 2000. When that happens, it can create a dangerous 'V'-like gap between the mattress and side rail where a baby can get caught and suffocate or strangle. The new tests aim to make sure the cribs can take that kind of pressure.īetter labeling on crib pieces will also be required - a measure that aims to cut down on the misassembly problems that some parents have encountered, problems that can lead to the death of a child. The new standard mandates tougher safety testing for cribs, tests that more closely mimic a child in a crib.Īs children get older, they can apply more force to the crib - shaking on it, running around in it, jumping up and down. In the past five years, more than nine million drop-side cribs have been recalled, including cribs from big-name companies such as Evenflo, Delta Enterprise Corp., and Pottery Barn Kids.
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