Busy day of recalls includes cribs, pacifiers and window blinds

Three products that can imperil children—cribs, corded window blinds and pacifiers—were among the six recalls announced by the Consumer Product Safety Commission today. The recalls included 535,000 Stork Craft cribs with faulty brackets; 692,400 window blinds with looped pull cords sold at Cost Plus and World Market; and 38,000 flashing pacifiers that can pose a choking hazard. Here are the details:

500,000 Stork Craft cribs
Hazard: The metal support brackets that support the crib mattress and mattress board can crack and break. When one or more support brackets break, the mattress can collapse and create a dangerous gap in which a child can become entrapped and suffocate.
Incidents/Injuries: CPSC is aware of 10 incidents in which one or more mattress support brackets broke. In several, the support bracket broke causing the mattress to collapse and create a gap between the mattress and crib rails. The CPSC received a report of a toddler who sustained bruises to his forehead. In another incident a child reportedly became entrapped in the gap between the mattress and the drop side rail but was not injured.
Description: The Stork Craft Baby cribs have manufacturing and distribution dates between May 2000 and November 2008. The cribs were sold in various styles and finishes. The manufacture date, model number, crib name, country of origin, and the firm’s name, address, and contact information are located on the assembly instruction sheet attached to the mattress support board. The firm’s insignia “storkcraft baby” is inscribed on the drop side teething rail of some cribs.
Sold at: Major retailers including J.C. Penney, Kmart and Walmart stores nationwide and online at Amazon.com, Babiesrus.com, Costco.com and Walmart.com from May 2000 through January 2009 for between $100 and $400.
Manufactured in: Canada, China and Indonesia
Remedy: The CPSC urges parents and caregivers to immediately stop using the recalled cribs and find an alternative, safe sleeping environment for their baby. Consumers should contact Stork Craft to receive a free replacement kit, with new mattress support brackets.
Consumer Contact: Contact Stork Craft toll-free at (866) 361-3321 anytime to order the free replacement kit or log on to www.storkcraft.com

692,400 Cost Plus Roman shades and roll-up blinds
Hazard: The Roman shades have a looped pull cord and exposed inner cords on the back of the shade. The roll-up blinds have a looped pull cord and two lifting cord loops that run around the bottom rail.
Incidents/Injuries: No incidents or injuries have been reported with the Roman shades and roll-up blinds involved in this recall. However, CPSC is aware of the death of a child who became entangled in the lifting cord of a roll-up style blind whose manufacturer and retailer have not yet been identified and of at least two deaths involving exposed inner cords on various styles of Roman-style shades.
Description: This recall involves four styles of shades, the “Canvass Roman Shade” available in four different sizes; the “Sari Roman Shade” available in two colors (berry and chocolate); and the “Buddha" or "Floral Matchstick Blind." A small tag on the back of the Canvass and Sari Roman Shades states “World Market Cost Plus, Inc., Oakland, CA 94607, Made in India, 100% Cotton.” In addition, this recall involves other styles of wooden roll-up blinds, with or without valances. Check the recall notice for SKU numbers.
Sold at: Cost Plus and World Market stores nationwide from February 2006 through August 2008 for between $25 and $60.
Manufactured in: India and China
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled window blinds/shades and return the product to any Cost Plus/World Market store to obtain a full refund.
Contact: For additional information, contact Cost Plus toll-free at (877) 967-5362 between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. ET daily, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.worldmarket.com.

38,000 Top Goods flashing pacifiers
Hazard: The flashing pacifiers do not comply with federal safety standards for pacifiers. Although the pacifiers are marketed to older children and adults, they could be given to babies and cause serious injury or death. The pieces of the pacifier can separate, posing a choking hazard. The necklaces pose a strangulation hazard.
Incidents/Injuries: None reported.
Description: The flashing pacifier has a yellow heart-shaped mouth guard and handle. There is a 15-inch cord attached to the handle. LED lights are activated by pushing the heart-shaped handle into the base of the pacifier.
Sold at: Retail stores in the Los Angeles area from November 2007 through November 2008 for about 50 cents.
Manufactured in: China
Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled pacifier away from children and contact Top Goods Trading for a refund or exchange.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Top Goods Trading collect at (213) 680-0388 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday.