Third major recall of Simplicity includes 600,000 cribs

In the third major recall of children's sleeping equipment made by Simplicity in a year, the Consumer Product Safety Commission today announced a recall of 600,000 cribs because they pose an entrapment and suffocation hazard. A year ago, as we wrote here, Simplicity recalled one million cribs, including some branded Graco, after the deaths of two infants. And just last month, 900,000 bassinets branded Simplicity, Graco and Disney, were recalled after the deaths of two infants.

Because Simplicity has gone out of business, the CPSC is working with a number of retailers to get the cribs recalled. So far the retailers include AAFES, Babies 'R' Us, Burlington Coat Factory/ Baby Depot, K's Merchandise, Meijer, Nebraska Furniture Mart, ShopKo, Target and Wal-Mart. Scott Wolfson, a CPSC spokesman, said he expects the list of retailers to grow.

Problems with the hardware on the cribs recalled today can cause the drop-side to come off the tracks. When the drop-side detaches or partially detaches, it can create a hazardous gap that can lead to infant entrapment or suffocation. The CPSC is aware of nine incidents in which the drop-side detached but there are no known injuries. Although both today's recall and the one made last September involved the drop-side, the issue with the cribs in the 2007 recall was flaws with both the hardware and the crib design that made it possible for consumers to unintentionally install the drop-side upside down. "This is a different set of cribs with different hardware," said Wolfson.

These recalls have been vexing to say the least. In the first Simplicity crib recall, made before the company went out of business, Simplicity supplied parents with a repair kit that immobilized the drop-side, although getting the kit took several weeks. This time owners of the recalled cribs are being asked to return them to the place of purchase for a refund or store credit.

Today's crib recall involves model numbers: 8620, 8745, 8748, 8755, 8756, 8778, 8810, and 8994. The cribs have a date code, which can be found on a label on the headboard under the mattress support, that ends in 05DH, 05GB, 06DH, 06GB, 07DH or 07GB (examples: 1806 DH or 0507 GB). The recalled model names include: Aspen and Crib N Changer Combo, Gabrielle, Camille, Providence and Shenandoah. Only the brand name "Simplicity" can be seen on the label on the headboard. The cribs were sold at department stores, children’s stores and mass merchandisers nationwide from January 2005 through August 2008 for between $150 and $300.

In another odd twist, SFCA,the company that bought Simplicity's assets is "cooperating" with this recall, according to Wolfson. As we wrote earlier, SFCA refused to cooperate in the bassinet recall leaving it to the CPSC to elicit cooperation from the stores that sold them.

Consumers with questions about the current recall can contact one of the following retailers:

• AAFES: (800) 866-3605; www.AAFES.com
• Babies 'R' Us: (800) 869-778; www.babiesrus.com
• Burlington Coat Factory/Baby Depot: www.babydepot.com
• Meijer Distribution Inc: (866) 280-8419; www.meijer.com
• Nebraska Furniture Mart: (800) 359-1200; www.nfm.com
• Shopko: (800) 791-7333; www.shopko.com
• Target: (800) 440-0680; www.target.com
• Wal-Mart: (800) 925-6278; www.walmart.com

Comments

[Mike]

I feel sorry for the parents that suffered losses. However my instructions where very specific and simple to follow and my 8745h has been a great crib for my family for 4 year now. I do not see how anyone can install the hardware upside down. The drop railing will "not" go on the crib at all, unless forced. When the hardware is installed upside down.

[tara]

i bought my crib on Cl then found out about the recall, am i still able to return it some where. i just need a good crib forour new born.

[Chris]

I purchased a Simplicity Aspen 4 in 1 crib model 8750 from a newspaper ad. I did not know anything about the recall until I started looking for some parts I needed. Now I can't use the crib and don't know if I have any recourse at all. My mattress support is not the wood one (as they are talking about) it is metal. Doesn't anyone have any help or Any suggestions?

[L Moore]

I just returned our Crib and Changer Combo model #8994 to Walmart. They were very helpful in refunding the crib. They were able to retrieve the UPC from their computers even though it had been purchased 4 years ago in another state. I had used this crib with my first son and was shocked when I found out it had been recalled. If we hadn't switched him to a toddler bed at 18 months, he might have gotten really hurt! My infant son has been using the crib for three months. We took it back as soon as we heard about the recall. Now we have a nice new crib--hope its safe!

[Kevin]

Be careful with any product from Shopko. Their customer service is awful. We are currently living in Illinois and are not close to a Shopko, but my parents purchased our crib for us. The little changing station that attaches to it was not very good, but usable. But the dresser we bought with it (a different brand name) never worked well and since we had to move, it is completely useless.

The store where we bought it from gave us several different stories and was pushing for us to send it to Simplicity. When we said that they went out of business, they then tried to send us to a different store. They tried to pull one over on my parents. It's nice how they treat seniors. But, luckily we kept the receipt. They did look at the receipt and claimed that it wasn't a part of the recall list, but our model is clearly on it. It says in the paperwork we kept and on the headboard as well. They refuse to do anything about the dresser. We shoved it into her closet since she can't get in there and can only use 2 out of the 5 drawers.

BAD CUSTOMER SERVICE!!

For those that are having trouble, try bringing in that scary photo of the doll trapped in the crib and ask them how they feel about laying their child/grandchild/neice/nephew or best friend's baby in there. If they don't mind then simply point out how awful of a human being they actually are. Let them try to sleep well that evening.

[Tish]

I purchased the simplicity crib as part of a nursery in a box and I tried bringing the crib back today to walmart and was told i would have to bring the WHOLE NURSERY back! can anyone help me with this?!?!

[Shannon]

Please realize that not the notice says that those are the current numbers but the recall is not limited to just those. If your crib has a drop-side with a plastic tab you are eligible to return it. My crib DID NOT have the exact number but did in fact have the plastic tab. I returned it in pieces to Burlington Coat Factory today. I sat on the phone with 3 reps at their Corporate Office and was told something completely different when I went into the store. However, since I was persistent I ended up with a store credit for the original amount I paid for it in 2007. If you are worried that your crib may be in the recall, make sure it is made by Simplicity and is a drop-side. If it has plastic tabs, it can and should be in the recall. Persist with your store to have them return it and at least give you a store credit to replace it. DO NOT err on the side of putting your child in danger. No amount of money or hassle is worth that!!!

Also, if you had have issues PLEASE report it so that they can be aware and protect other children!

[Me]

We returned our crib today to walmart with no problem at all...No receipt no date of purchase nothing...They gave us 140.00 on a gift card!

[Kevin]

I contacted Shopko right away and they told me that if I didn't have the receipt, since it was bought over a year ago, I would only get 39.99 for the return. Luckily we have the receipt and the bed costed almost $200. Unfortunately, we live at least 2 hours from the nearest Shopko. Still trying to straighten that one out.

[lisa]

Is the Milan model in recall? the model # is 8995mlh1 and the man. code is 1708-HS

[Elizabeth Richey]

We bought the kingston crib for our son and I have been checking to see if it is on any recall list, but so far nothing. It does not have any drop sides. Still makes me nervous.

[Gwen Shields]

WE bought a apsen simplicity bed in 2006 when our son was born after a year or so the drop side started falling when my son started tring to get out of his bed. My husband and I thought well we will have to be careful and you get what you paid for. I didn't think about reporting it. Now that all the recall came out I'm worried. All the number match up other than the last two letters. The model muber is 8745 and manufacture is 5305SC. I don't know what the two letters mean but it was made the same year as the others and we bought it between the years they stated in the recall. I personally think that this manufacture num. needs to be recalled. I will never buy another apsen/simplicity bed again. I have stoped useing this bed but now i want a refund of somesort. Because we have to go out and buy another bed for our next child. Disapponited Customer.

[No phone #]

I have a simplicity crib and I love it. I broke it when it wouldn't drop down into the lower setting. I was wondering if there are places to get replacement parts for the top left side? The model is 8745H and the manufactures code is 0306 GM.

For the people who have a problem with walmart..I would complain to a manager or make a big scene. lol. Amazon has a contact us link you have to sign in to use it.

[Marguarett]

Where do I go to find out if my son's crib is indeed on the recall list?

[mommy]

If you do have one of the models listed I suggest maybe printing out this press release and taking it with you to walmart or when contacting amazon.com ... http://www.simplicityforchildren.com/documents/SimpCribDropside08CPSC.pdf (you may have to copy and paste link for it to work)

They have to do something!!! This is so unfair especially since Simplicity is now out of business!!!

[mindy haley]

yes I agree walmart is the hardest place to return a recall item espeacially the crib and mine matched the recall code and I still got attitude and horrible service from them why do we even bother.I refuse to use the crib and I want my money back asap so I can get my 7mo old a new crib that wont hurt him I am beginning to see why people are getting sick of walmarts and how they do there things.

[Vanessa]

I had hell trying to return my crib to Wal-mart and still haven't been able to supposedly because I don't have proof of purchase who keeps them things anyways..lol Anyways my crib make and model numbers did not match any of the recalles so far but the U.S Govement Saftey Com did com out to my house and more than likely will be recalling these all simplicity cribs..Never buy a Simplicity product.

[Nicole Tucker]

Our daughter's crib (Camille 4 in 1) was part of the recall. We purchased it through Amazon.com and they e-mailed us immediately after the recallto let us know. We were told to send an e-mail with our name and address and would be contacted shortly with instructions. We did receive an e-mail back a week later, telling us to stop using the crib, disassemble it, purchase a box large enough to mail it back in (where do you even find a crib sized box to purchase??) and have it ready to return and they would contact us again shortly to schedule a Fed Ex or UPS pick up. We would then be issued a refund, along with reimbursement for a box. It has now been several weeks, and we haven't heard a thing. We do not know if we are going to get a refund by check, refund back to our credit card, or a voucher, so we can't even purchase a new crib because we don't want to be stuck with some voucher we have no use for if we pay for another crib outright. Do you have any further information about this recall process? I can't even find a number for Amazon to call for answers!

[Kayla Diehl]

our crib model is 8995MLH1 and the code of 0208-HS. will this effect our daughter's crib?

[chad reese]

My son has a Simplicity model 8755HT and a code of 0306SQ. Is it affected by the recall? It appears not, but can't be too careful.