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After dozens of deaths, drop-side cribs outlawed
WASHINGTON – It's the end of the traditional crib that has cradled millions of babies for generations.
The government outlawed drop-side cribs on Wednesday after the deaths of more than 30 infants and toddlers in the past decade and millions of recalls.
It was a unanimous vote by the Consumer Product Safety Commission to ban the manufacture, sale and resale of the cribs, which have a side rail that moves up and down, allowing parents to more easily lift their child from the crib.
The new standard requiring cribs to have fixed sides would take effect in June. The move by CPSC would also prohibit hotels and childcare centers from using drop-sides, though those facilities would have two years to purchase new cribs.
CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum hailed the new standard for cribs as one of the strongest in the world.
"I believe these new standards will markedly reduce crib-related hazards and help to ensure that young children sleep more safely in their cribs," Tenenbaum said after the vote.
Around for decades, drop-side cribs have come under scrutiny in recent years because of malfunctioning hardware, sometimes cheaper plastics, or assembly problems that can lead to the drop-side rail partially detaching from the crib. 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.
In all, drop-side cribs have been blamed in the deaths of at least 32 infants and toddlers since 2000 and are suspected in another 14 infant fatalities. In the past five years, more than 9 million drop-side cribs have been recalled, including cribs from big-name companies such as Evenflo, Delta Enterprise Corp., and Pottery Barn Kids.
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.
"It's been a long 13 years," said Witte. "I feel like it's a celebratory time because things are finally being done about the issue."
Witte appeared at a news conference on Capitol Hill with Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., and Rep. Joe Crowley, D-N.Y., all of whom have pushed for stronger crib safety rules.
The new standard mandates tougher safety testing for cribs, tests that more closely mimic a child in a crib. As children get older, they can apply more force to the crib — shaking on it, running around in it, jumping up and down. The new tests aim to make sure the cribs can take that kind of pressure.
Better 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.
Parents who lost their children in drop-side cribs say Wednesday's ban couldn't come soon enough.
Chad Johns, whose 9-month-old son, Liam, died in a drop-side crib in 2005, said he was a little relieved.
"Yes, it's a long time coming," said Johns from Roseville, Calif. "But the fact that it is happening — that's what is important."
Crib makers were already phasing out drop-side cribs over the last couple years, amid increasing problems with them. And last year, the organization that sets voluntary industry standards — ASTM International — approved a drop-side ban.
Many parents, however, still have drop-sides in their homes. They can also be found at secondhand stores.
Parents who are using drop-side cribs are advised to check the hardware on the cribs to be certain it's working properly and to make sure their crib has not been recalled. The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association, which represents over 90 percent of the crib industry, says properly assembled drop-sides that haven't been recalled can be safely used.
32 infant deaths is terrible, and I feel for the families ... however ... In 10 years, 32 deaths is hardly what I would call an "epidemic" that needs to be addressed by banning these types of cribs outright. Seems like most of the issues are caused by manufacturing defects, rather than the actual design of the crib. So, is this a case of the government stepping up to protect kids or government nanny-ism?
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It's nanny-ism, in my opinion.
32 deaths in 10 years.... out of millions of babies. Definitely an overreaction and a cause driven by someone taking a personal event to an extreme. No different than whomever it was that lost a child to a fall off a bike and hitting their head... and now kids everywhere are mandated to wear bike helmets. A gross over-reaction, but because "it's for the children, you want your children to be safe, don't you?", it won't be questioned.
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they use the deaths because it gets people's attention.
but, many, many more have been injured from the cheap plastic they use to hold up the side these days. I looked at those things when shopping for a crib and laughed at how delicate the things were.
the last thing you want for an infant/toddler is delicate.
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now, could they have just passed a law increasing the safety standards on the things so they couldn't put such cheap plastic in there? yeah, that would have been the way to go, but over-correction is the name of the game for our government.
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In 10 years, 32 deaths is hardly what I would call an "epidemic" that needs to be addressed by banning these types of cribs outright.
3.2 deaths per year? Yea it sucks but think of all the other things that should also be banned, like... everything.
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Seems like most of the issues are caused by manufacturing defects, rather than the actual design of the crib. So, is this a case of the government stepping up to protect kids or government nanny-ism?
I bet a good portion of these accidents are caused because the parents didn't know how to put it together.. That and they didn't securely LOCK IT at the top when they put it up.... user error. I fully understand that most of them do not want to admit that their baby's death was their fault because they didn't put screw A into hole B like they were supposed to or they put that track piece on upside down so the catch part was at the bottom and not the top or some other issue like that.
As far as the legality of the ban.. I don't really have a problem with it, drop side cribs do NOTHING for the baby, they only make it easier for the parents (especially shorter parents) to lift the child in and out... Now they will just have to make cribs shorter.. which will make them easier for cats and dogs and other small children to get in and out of, this will certainly injure more kids...
yebat' Putin
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now, could they have just passed a law increasing the safety standards on the things so they couldn't put such cheap plastic in there? yeah, that would have been the way to go, but over-correction is the name of the game for our government.
Completely agree there ... just seems like a case where the manufacturing standards should be increased, but instead they just go full-tilt and ban the things outright.
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Now they will just have to make cribs shorter.. which will make them easier for cats and dogs and other small children to get in and out of, this will certainly injure more kids...
Yeah, that's what I was thinking ... can't wait till they ban ladders and step-stools in a few years, because of the increase in the number of baby deaths due to dropping ... or ban cats and dogs from the household, due to too many baby attacks. 
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This is very much like the car seat issue.. car seats work great and I'm fully in favor of them but I think the most recent study I read showed that something like 70% of car seats are installed incorrectly.... 
yebat' Putin
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Space heaters have been blamed for how many deaths this year already? I say we ban them.
How many people have died in the last 10 years falling from balconies? I say we ban them.
Etc.
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Bengal
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Over-reaction. For people like me with back problems it is really nice to have it. But when you look at 90% of the things our mothers used on us, they're all outlawed now too! It's just the way it is.
In other related news, the CPSC is made up of only five people. Take that for what it's worth.
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Quote:
Over-reaction. For people like me with back problems it is really nice to have it. But when you look at 90% of the things our mothers used on us, they're all outlawed now too! It's just the way it is.
In other related news, the CPSC is made up of only five people. Take that for what it's worth.
Well, 90% of the things our mothers used on us WERE probably dangerous. Like I said in another recent post, I sat between my parents in the front seat of our car from the day I was born until I was seven. No car seat or seat belt, just my mom holding me. Why? Because nobody knew any better. So, using the logic of "we made it here with my parents doing X must mean its ok for every future generation to use" doesn't hold water.
As far as this new law....I'm sure they debated about making the components stronger, but who knows how they'd enforce it or if a company could think of way around it by using other cheap materials. Taking the drop-side functionality out of the equation makes it easier to ensure every crib is safe.
Anyway, it's probably a smart overall decision. Some might complain about their back a few times, but it will probably save lives with this new format. 30 kids was too many.
And don't come back with, "I knew a kid that choked to death on a popsicle stick...so we should ban popsicles." That's a worthless argument and you know it.
Plus, most parents in the market for a crib buy a new one. So what if they can't buy one like the old days. The only place this really hurts is daycares.
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Quote:
So, using the logic of "we made it here with my parents doing X must mean its ok for every future generation to use" doesn't hold water.
You are correct.
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Anyway, it's probably a smart overall decision. Some might complain about their back a few times, but it will probably save lives with this new format. 30 kids was too many.
And don't come back with, "I knew a kid that choked to death on a popsicle stick...so we should ban popsicles." That's a worthless argument and you know it.
You are correct but that doesn't mean that every time something like this is proposed or debated that there shouldn't be a vigorous debate. There are 3 sides to be heard in every one of these arguments and don't get hung up on the names.. those who seek to regulate, those who seek the freedom to do what they want, and those who will profit one way or the other... all sides need to be heard... It's no different than when TSA decides their procedures for feeling up grandmas and little children, there should ALWAYS be a debate. We should NEVER just resort to the "Well we can save 30 lives over 10 years, so let's do it" response. Because that response is equally as stupid as the "I knew a kid that choked on a popsicle" response.
I could give you dozens of different potential regulations right now that could save the lives of 30 kids over 10 years
yebat' Putin
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It's nanny-ism, in my opinion.
32 deaths in 10 years.... out of millions of babies. Definitely an overreaction and a cause driven by someone taking a personal event to an extreme. No different than whomever it was that lost a child to a fall off a bike and hitting their head... and now kids everywhere are mandated to wear bike helmets. A gross over-reaction, but because "it's for the children, you want your children to be safe, don't you?", it won't be questioned.
I agree.
Three babies a year die. Nothing to sneeze at mind you, but how many kids for 100 years have made it just fine?
Maybe new parents need to quit buying the cheap crib and buy one that doesn't fall apart.
Nothing is fool proof or fail safe..
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Bengal
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I do feel terrible for the families who have lost babies, that goes without saying. And I have no problem with trying to make things safer, obviously. But I'm sure not all crib related injuries and deaths were in drop-sided cribs only.
Not one day goes by when my back doen't hurt. Just yesterday it was nearly unbearable. Trying to lug and lift 30lbs is not fun to say the least. I'm just saying... I periodically check everything to be sure it's still safe. That in itself could save lives.
When I said "that's the way it is" it meant "what are we supposed to do about?". Six months ago it was baby slings, Six months from now they'll find something else.
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Baby #2 on the way in June. We will be using the same drop side crib that I had, my sister had, several of my cousins had, and my first born was in. I will probably pass it on to whomever has the next baby in the family too.
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I built my son's crib with a drop leaf side on a piano hinge.
My wife wishes we still had it, but we gave it to a child care center after he got too big for it. Like 30 years ago,...
Never once considered any safety issue. Just went down to the wood shop on base and started drilling holes.
This is a non-issue. Guess we need to start banning sex. Shopping. Breathing. Sleeping. Thinking. Sight. Touch. Hell, ban it all.
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Well - almost all of it. Can't ban cigs, cause the gov't. needs the tax money. Can't ban alcohol, cause the gov't. needs the tax money. Can't ban gas, cause the gov't. needs the tax money.
Hell, why don't they let the cribs go - just tax them more. All gov't. cares about is tax money anyway.
Tobacco kills about 463,000 people per year. Alcohol would be lower, but still oodles more than 3.2 people per year. Why aren't tobacco and alcohol banned? Tax money.
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Dawg Talker
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Quote:
because of malfunctioning hardware, sometimes cheaper plastics, or assembly problems that can lead to the drop-side rail partially detaching from the crib
In other words, poor manufacturing--cost cutting--cheap plastic and/or someone not following assembly instructions.
We make cars safer, we can't make cribs safer?
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Never once considered any safety issue.
This can be dangerous. You know, they were smart when they mandated how far apart the slats should be...too big and you get a head stuck or a baby falling through. I think once in a while safety mandates are good things.
Drop side cribs are probably better off banned. And, as someone mentioned, it's the assembler that got it wrong -- not the fault of the design.
Having done considerable research on all things baby, I will say there is no way I would buy a drop side crib. Ever. Nor would I use a crib older than about 10 years. And, one should NEVER, EVER use an old car seat.
Sure, people do it every day, and almost everyone lives through it. But, should the old, dry rotted car seat fail in a crash, was it worth the money you saved? No.
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I was dead decades ago....... No car seat No bicycle helmet Rode in the back of pick-up trucks Worked without a work permit around farm machinery by the age of 13 Played hard tackle football, no helmet, shoulder pads or anything. For some ungodly reason, the term "suck it up" is a ghostly memory to me. See you all on the other side when you get here. 
Intoducing for The Cleveland Browns, Quarterback Deshawn "The Predator" Watson. He will also be the one to choose your next head coach.
#gmstrong
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No car seat .... Hell, I remember a car when I was about 6 or 7 that didn't have a seat belt in the back seat. That would have been the late 60s.
My mom used to drive us around in her station wagon with us kids playing cards in the back of the wagon. No seats ..... no belts ....... no airbags ....... no padded dashes or headliners ...... etc.
I also rode my bike everywhere ... and never once donned a helmet.
It's amazing how many things should have killed us back then ...... but somehow didn't.
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
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Yes. as I recall my dad's 62 Chevy Impala with a 326 and 2 two barrels had no seat belts either.
And him at that age? Well, let's just say he never hesitated to be a little lead footed.
And like Michelle, I do see a need in some cases to mandate safety because as Ron White would say "You can't fix stupid". Yet not so much for grown ups. I mean if you're stupid enough to kill yourself as a grown up, well, nature always has a way of thinning the herd.
But for the children of "stupid" I think some things must be made law to "fear them into" not being SO stupid as it pertains to the safety of their children.
jmho
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In the summers I had a 4 1/2 mile bike ride to baseball practice. In the morning. Then I rode once a week another mile to mow grandma's yard. Then I rode 5 1/2 miles home, ate, then rode back another 4 miles to go to the pool to swim. Then I rode 4 miles back home.
Some days I had to mow at home - once per week I went to great grandma's to mow her yard.
On bike.
Up until I was 14 and my parents bought a moped. Then I was king of the hill - 30 mph - could go anywhere I wanted.
All without a helmet. (and yes, I spent 3 years riding bike to baseball practice - not moped - and mowing the yards - prior to getting a moped). Was I shortchanged in childhood?
Hell no.
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Quote:
And like Michelle, I do see a need in some cases to mandate safety because as Ron White would say "You can't fix stupid". Yet not so much for grown ups. I mean if you're stupid enough to kill yourself as a grown up, well, nature always has a way of thinning the herd.
But for the children of "stupid" I think some things must be made law to "fear them into" not being SO stupid as it pertains to the safety of their children.
Yup. Of course, those that are uninformed will still go to a garage sale and pick up a used car seat. 
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I wonder how long before our government realizes that life is a sexually transmitted, fatal disease, and bans it for the stupid people.
All my kids had drop side cribs. I put them together myself. When I thought a crib was too old, I got rid of it. If it had a problem, I saw if I could fix it, or got rid of it. I also made sure the side wouldn't drop accidently. I also made sure the top of the drop side never went down further than half way.
I read all the safety information on the crib, and I read all the recall notices every time I took a kid to the doctor. I guess parental vigilance might work better than the government, as all of my kids made it through their early childhood. Now I just have to teach them to drive.
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No car seat .... Hell, I remember a car when I was about 6 or 7 that didn't have a seat belt in the back seat. That would have been the late 60s.
My mom used to drive us around in her station wagon with us kids playing cards in the back of the wagon. No seats ..... no belts ....... no airbags ....... no padded dashes or headliners ...... etc.
We kids rode in the bed of my dad's pickup truck many a time. Try doing that today!
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Actually .... it is still legal. For those under 16, the vehicle must not go faster than 25 MPH .... and for those above 16 you cannot sit up on the sides of the bed .... and the tailgate must be closed. At least that's the case according to This Site Right Here
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
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Bengal
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So people in Ohio can ride on the running boards too? That sounds more dangerous than in the bed.
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I love how you "we rode in the back of a pickup" guys are twisting this one. Really...reminds me of someone.
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Bengal
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My bad. I started the "remember whens".
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Well, and to a small degree, it makes sense. I'm just not sure why we defend how we were raised and the known safety concerns of the time to now.
Would any of you let your kids loose in the car without seatbelts if it were suddenly legal just because you did it and lived? My guess is you wouldn't.
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I'm just amazed we survived. 
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
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It is a miracle...
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Well, and to a small degree, it makes sense. I'm just not sure why we defend how we were raised and the known safety concerns of the time to now.
Would any of you let your kids loose in the car without seatbelts if it were suddenly legal just because you did it and lived? My guess is you wouldn't.
As I said before.. see both sides. On one hand we do recognize dangers we didn't before and we do have safeguards in place to prevent injury, like car seats, seat belts, etc... that does not, in any way, mean that we should just blindly and willingly accept every "safeguard" they mandate on us and shove down our throats just because it may prevent injury to some small amount of children....
yebat' Putin
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I missed where I said we should all be sheep, sorry...could you point it out for me, please?
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I missed where I said we should all be sheep, sorry...could you point it out for me, please?
This is not the Vick thread.. we disagree over there and you are very passionate about it... we agree a lot more often than we disagree.. leave it over there.
yebat' Putin
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Huh? I read your post as telling me I was being a sheep thinking this was a good thing....if that's not what you meant, sorry. This has nothing to do with the Vick thread and you don't need to tell me where to put anything. Get it? 
#gmstrong #gmlapdance
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Forums DawgTalk Tailgate Forum Over-reaction or Necessity?
Drop-side Cribs now illegal
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