Banning Drop-side cribs

cincybearcat

http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/07/14/crib.s ... tml?hpt=T2

Thoughts on this?

My daughter had a drop side crib...she is now in a toddler bed. I had heard of some concerns while she was still using it, but it seemed very sturdy and I didn't have a problem having her use it.

Is this a necessary step or a bit a a knee jerk reaction? By the numbers about 1.25 babies die per year due to the drop-side crib. A terrible tragedy for those involved. But is the fix over-reaching or appropriate? It's tough because anytime you are talking about childrens' safety it's hard to see too much as a bad thing.

I like the idea of new, stricter standards for the materials and hardware for sure, but should they be banning old cribs that have not had any issues? Is it only a matter of time before something happens in those cribs so they have to fix it now?

I'm torn on this one.

blackredyellow

We didn't have a dropside crib, so I can't really speak from experience, but I can't see why they can't be made safely... If the hardware is covered or whatever so no little hands can get pinched, and the drop down side is secure enough that only adults can do it, I don't see the problem?

Maybe it's a bailout for crib manufactures

cincybearcat

Yeah, to tell you the truth, I had a hard time making the drop-side thing go down...I didn't use it much because of how difficult it was. Especially at 2 AM.

Jeanwah

How long have drop side cribs been around? A long time. Why now to ban them? My daughter was in one, and we had no issues at all. As long as it's not rickety or cheap, I have a hard time believing the urgency to ban these.

Cosmo

Jeanwah wrote:

How long have drop side cribs been around? A long time. Why now to ban them? My daughter was in one, and we had no issues at all. As long as it's not rickety or cheap, I have a hard time believing the urgency to ban these.

...
Maybe that the problem... the cribs today are rickety and cheap (or laced with lead or melamine).

unlost dogs

Cosmo wrote:

Jeanwah wrote:

How long have drop side cribs been around? A long time. Why now to ban them? My daughter was in one, and we had no issues at all. As long as it's not rickety or cheap, I have a hard time believing the urgency to ban these.

...
Maybe that the problem... the cribs today are rickety and cheap (or laced with lead or melamine).

Mine was laced with lead and my house was shingled in asbestos.

:shock: Wait a second. That explains a lot. :shock:

Blockhead

cincybearcat wrote:

http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/07/14/crib.standards/index.html?hpt=T2

Thoughts on this?

My daughter had a drop side crib...she is now in a toddler bed. I had heard of some concerns while she was still using it, but it seemed very sturdy and I didn't have a problem having her use it.

Is this a necessary step or a bit a a knee jerk reaction? By the numbers about 1.25 babies die per year due to the drop-side crib. A terrible tragedy for those involved. But is the fix over-reaching or appropriate? It's tough because anytime you are talking about childrens' safety it's hard to see too much as a bad thing.

I like the idea of new, stricter standards for the materials and hardware for sure, but should they be banning old cribs that have not had any issues? Is it only a matter of time before something happens in those cribs so they have to fix it now?

I'm torn on this one.

1.25 babies per year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOW.
Why don't we ban swimming pools.
Everything is a knee jerk reaction today, I guarentee when my kids are able to drive they will have to wear helmets in the car.

cincybearcat

sorry. meant 1.25 per month...whoops

Blockhead

cincybearcat wrote:

sorry. meant 1.25 per month...whoops

15 a year. Oh well that changes everything.

_

I don't know all the details, but from what I've heard I don't understand why this ban is even a source of contention. :?

Dirtie_Frank

HeidiJam wrote:

cincybearcat wrote:

sorry. meant 1.25 per month...whoops

15 a year. Oh well that changes everything.

I bet if one of those 15 were yours you would be singing a different tune.

Blockhead

Dirtie_Frank wrote:

HeidiJam wrote:

cincybearcat wrote:

sorry. meant 1.25 per month...whoops

15 a year. Oh well that changes everything.

I bet if one of those 15 were yours you would be singing a different tune.

Your wrong, I am not one to put blame on a product that has been safe 99% of the time. If your kid drowns do you wan't to ban water or pools or bathtubs???

haffajappa

Cosmo wrote:

Jeanwah wrote:

How long have drop side cribs been around? A long time. Why now to ban them? My daughter was in one, and we had no issues at all. As long as it's not rickety or cheap, I have a hard time believing the urgency to ban these.

...
Maybe that the problem... the cribs today are rickety and cheap (or laced with lead or melamine).

But people don't want to pay to have it made with decent materials.
They only want to pay for cheap pressboard and a coat of crappy paint.




At least that's what most customers who shopped at Sears wanted.
For instance, they wondered why the same crib was offered at less of a price elsewhere - the reason is its NOT the same crib. It may look like the same one, but the materials are cheaper. I know this because (at the time at least) Zellers sold the same storkcraft crib at a fraction of the price - but it wasn't solid wood.

haffajappa

Storkcraft has a massive recall last year:

The cribs’ drop-side plastic hardware can break, deform, or parts can become missing. In addition, the drop-side can be installed upside-down, which can result in broken or disengaged plastic parts. All of these problems can cause the drop-side to detach in one or more corners. When the drop-side detaches, it creates space between the drop-side and the crib mattress. The bodies of infants and toddlers can become entrapped in the space which can lead to suffocation. Complete detachment of drop-sides can lead to falls from the crib.

youngster

We had a dropside crib for my son for almost 2 years until he went into a toddler bed. When he moved into the toddler bed, my wife was pregnant with my daughter. Right before she was born, they had a recall from the crib's manufacturer. At first I wasn't even considering it, but then I figured I could just take down the crib and take it back to Target for a credit toward a brand new crib. We actually got a $30 credit and a new crib.

To be honest I never used the drop side portion of the crib. It made so much noise to drop it that it would have woke my son up in the middle of the night. But I do agree that it is a knee jerk reaction. Anything bad happens and they want to ban it. Don't let people make a concious decision for themselves or anything. :roll:

justam

Jeanwah wrote:

How long have drop side cribs been around? A long time. Why now to ban them? My daughter was in one, and we had no issues at all. As long as it's not rickety or cheap, I have a hard time believing the urgency to ban these.

This is how I feel too.

I wonder if it's just a way to get families to buy new cribs if they currently have the old type?

Hugh Freaking Dillon

Dirtie_Frank wrote:

I bet if one of those 15 were yours you would be singing a different tune.

you are probably correct.

Franny

haffajappa wrote:

Storkcraft has a massive recall last year:

The cribs’ drop-side plastic hardware can break, deform, or parts can become missing. In addition, the drop-side can be installed upside-down, which can result in broken or disengaged plastic parts. All of these problems can cause the drop-side to detach in one or more corners. When the drop-side detaches, it creates space between the drop-side and the crib mattress. The bodies of infants and toddlers can become entrapped in the space which can lead to suffocation. Complete detachment of drop-sides can lead to falls from the crib.

OMG Plastic components???!!?? Drop side intalled upside down???!!??

WOW I am gobsmacked. When I brought the cot for son when I was preggo, I didn't even consider a cheapie. I know that isn't an option for some people, but safety is paramount. I ensured that his cot, car seat, stroller and high chair all met or exceeded the safety standards here in OZ.

I can believe they have plastic components!!! There is not a single piece of plastic on my sons cot - now bed (it converted from cot-toddler bed- double bed). All solid timber and metal. And certainly no gaps, everything fits together flush and there is no way the drop side could be installed upside down, or accidentally operated by a child (it wouldn't want to when it cost $1500). The dropside had to be pushed in at the bottom and then lifted at the top at the same time to disengage it...which was quite a challenge for me at 155cm and after a c-section.

Sriously, how about just raising the standards, in order to elimnate the inferior manufacturers, rather than banning what is a completely safe product when manufactured and constructed properly.

haffajappa

Sagittarius Crux wrote:

OMG Plastic components???!!?? Drop side intalled upside down???!!??

WOW I am gobsmacked. When I brought the cot for son when I was preggo, I didn't even consider a cheapie. I know that isn't an option for some people, but safety is paramount. I ensured that his cot, car seat, stroller and high chair all met or exceeded the safety standards here in OZ.

I can believe they have plastic components!!! There is not a single piece of plastic on my sons cot - now bed (it converted from cot-toddler bed- double bed). All solid timber and metal. And certainly no gaps, everything fits together flush and there is no way the drop side could be installed upside down, or accidentally operated by a child (it wouldn't want to when it cost $1500). The dropside had to be pushed in at the bottom and then lifted at the top at the same time to disengage it...which was quite a challenge for me at 155cm and after a c-section.

Sriously, how about just raising the standards, in order to elimnate the inferior manufacturers, rather than banning what is a completely safe product when manufactured and constructed properly.

I dont know about Oz, but as far as I know USA's child seat safety standards are lower than some other countries... Its illegal to use a US manufactured car seat in Canada unless it has been inspected and approved by the Canadian safety council (i forget who that is in regards to carseats). Basically if it doesn't come with a sticker of approval its not meant to be used up here...

I've heard about one part in particular, the plastic parts of the car seat.. depending on the quality of plastics used for the frame of the seat, it can have an effect on how the seat itself deals with temperature change, ie the pulling and condensing when in hot and cold weather throughout the year can weaken it. Its why carseats also have a life-span (for instance, here, you can only use a car seat 7 years from its manufacturing date)

cincybearcat

I think the better standards on the material a crib is made from makes a lot of sense. I'm just not sure I can agree with banning some of these cribs. Obviously, there have already been recalls on the cribs where incidents have occurred. I admit, I don't know enough of the facts to really know if this is just a knee jerk atomic bomb or if it is the right call.

SCB - how can you not see that there might be some discussion on this?

mikepegg44

cincybearcat wrote:

I think the better standards on the material a crib is made from makes a lot of sense. I'm just not sure I can agree with banning some of these cribs. Obviously, there have already been recalls on the cribs where incidents have occurred. I admit, I don't know enough of the facts to really know if this is just a knee jerk atomic bomb or if it is the right call.

SCB - how can you not see that there might be some discussion on this?

more people die every year from lightning strikes, should we ban going outside in the rain? Accidents happen. If a particular crib is a death trap(doesn't look like many are considering the mortality rate) recall it, otherwise leave it alone.