By: Heather Graf
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Strict new safety rules take effect on Tuesday, that make it illegal to sell or even donate drop-side cribs.
Since 2000, 32 infant suffocation and strangulation deaths were associated with drop-side cribs, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Since 2007, 11 million cribs have been recalled in the United States along.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission says those statistics are the reason that drastic changes were needed.
At secondhand stores like Once Upon A Child located in Antioch, employees say they're still getting calls from mothers who own the dangerous drop-side cribs.
"Automatically, the first thing we ask them is, ‘Is it a drop-side crib?' If they say yes, we don't buy it. Even if it's been repaired with a free repair kit, we don't buy it or sell it," said Lisa Lane, the store's assistant manager.
Not only do they not carry the drop-side cribs, Lane says they also try to educate their customers about the dangers.
"If the plastic is thin or pushed on by the weight of the child or an older sibling climbing on it, it would eventually give way and the crib would fall," she said. "There have been issues where children have either gotten their head stuck or arm stuck."
The new federal guidelines forbid parents from donating or selling the drop-side cribs. That includes garage sales, yard sales, and on websites like Craigslist. Still, we found dozens of Craigslist ads in Nashville, in which the drop-side cribs are for sale.
"Nobody can buy or sell a new or used drop-side crib," said Lane. "Not on E-bay, not on Craigslist, nowhere."
Parents we spoke with also seemed surprise by the strict new guidelines.
"Actually the one I have no, the one I've had since my first son is a drop-side crib," said Jennifer Simons. "But, I mean, it's worked fine for me."
The Consumer Product Safety Commission is so serious about these new safety standards, though; it's encouraging parents to throw out their old cribs as soon as possible.
Daycare centers, crib rental companies, and hotels have a little bit more time to get in compliance.
For them, the new rules don't take effect until December 28th, 2012.
email: hgraf@newschannel5.com
Example of the drop-side crib
