CPSC Product Recall: Dream on Me Drop-Side Cribs May 25th, 2011

Dream on Me Recalls Drop-Side Cribs Due to Entrapment, Suffocation, Laceration, and Fall Hazards

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Full-Size and Portable Drop-Side Cribs
Units: About 22,000
Importer: Dream on Me, Inc. of Piscataway, N.J.

Hazard:
* Full-Size Cribs: The drop-side rail hardware can break or fail, allowing the drop side to detach from the crib. When the drop-side rail partially detaches, it creates a space between the drop side and the crib mattress. An infant or toddler’s body can become entrapped in the space, which can lead to strangulation and/or suffocation. A child can also fall out of the crib.

* Portable Cribs: The drop-side rail hardware can break or fail, allowing the drop side to detach from the crib or fall unexpectedly. In addition, the portable crib mattress support hardware and the drop-side release latch can
break easily, and the slats can loosen or break and detach from the crib. Children can also cut themselves on exposed hardware inside the cribs.

Incidents/Injuries: CPSC and the firm know of 69 reports of incidents involving these cribs. A 1-year-old boy sustained a scratch to the nose when he became trapped between the mattress support and side rail of his portable
crib. An 8-month-old girl sustained a minor injury on her head from exposed plastic hardware inside the portable crib.

Description: The cribs are drop-side wooden cribs, painted or stained in black, cherry, dark brown, natural, white, and pink.

* Full-Size Cribs: Models 613, 615, 616, 617, 619, 628, and 639 are included in this recall. The model number and “Dream on Me Inc.” are printed on a label located on the inside of one of the end panels. The label lists a
manufacture date between January 2006 and December 2009.

* Portable Cribs: The cribs are smaller than full-size cribs and the ends fold in to facilitate portability. Model numbers 621, 625 and 627 are included in this recall. The model number and “Dream on Me Inc.” are printed
on a label located on the mattress board. The label lists a manufacture date between August 2007 and February 2009.

Sold at: Toys R Us, Walmart and Target stores nationwide and online at Amazon.com. The full-size cribs were sold from January 2006 to December 2009 for about $200. The portable cribs were sold from September 2007 to
December 2009 for about $150.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using these cribs and contact the company.
* Full-Size Cribs: Consumers will be given a free kit that will immobilize the drop side. Kits will be available beginning June 30, 2011.
* Portable Cribs: Consumers can receive a free replacement portable crib with fixed sides. Replacement cribs will be available in mid-July 2011.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact the firm toll-free at (877) 201-4317 between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s website at www.dreamonme.com.

Important Message from CPSC: CPSC reminds parents not to use any crib with missing, broken or loose parts. Make sure to tighten hardware from time to time to keep the crib sturdy. When using a drop-side crib, parents should check to make sure the drop side or any other moving part operates smoothly. Always check all sides and corners of the crib for parts separating that can create a gap and entrap a child. In addition, do not try to repair any side of the crib. Babies have died in cribs where repairs were attempted by caregivers. Crib age is a factor in safety. At a minimum, CPSC staff recommends that you do not use a crib that is older than 10 years old. New,
mandatory federal crib rules take effect on June 28, 2011. All cribs manufactured and sold after that date must meet new and improved safety requirements. Older cribs do not meet the new standard and can have a
variety of safety problems. Check if your crib has been recalled at www.cpsc.gov.

To see this recall on CPSC’s web site, including pictures of the recalled products, please go to:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml11/11224.html

Back to Sleep: Safe Sleep Saves Lives! May 24th, 2011

Webinar Registration

Join us and learn what it means for babies to get their best and safest sleep while reducing the risk of SIDS. We will also briefly discuss ways to support families when SIDS does happen in and out of the child care setting. Many parents are concerned about how to get their babies asleep and stay asleep.  Learn about  helping a baby sleep and creating an environment that will give baby the best chance of waking up.

We will also hear from Shelley Blecha about her experience when her 3-month-old son, Nathan, died in an unlicensed child care setting as a result of being placed on his stomach to sleep. Ms. Blecha is now active in children’s advocacy efforts at both the state and federal level. She is a member of NACCRRA’s Parent Advisory Council, the Child Care Aware® of Missouri parent network, and she is active in the SIDS awareness community.

Presented by: Hanan Kallash, RN, MS, Health Education Specialist at First Candle/ SIDS Alliance Hanan Kallash has a diverse public health background with more than 15 years national and international public health education and training experience. Ms. Kallash holds a master’s degree in Emergency Health Services and was a distinguished Shriver Peaceworker Fellow at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. She is also a full-time critical care registered nurse.

To register click here!

Recall of Strollers by Maclaren USA May 13th, 2011

Additional Fingertip Amputations and Lacerations Prompt Reannouncement of November 2009 Recall of Strollers by Maclaren USA

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today reannounced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers who have not yet obtained the repair should do so immediately. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

For detail information regarding this recall please visit http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml11/11222.html

CPSC Alert: Consumers Urged To Stop Using phil&teds USA Clip-on Chairs Due To Serious Dangers Posed To Children May 9th, 2011

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) warns consumers that some “metoo” clip-on table top chairs, imported by phil&teds USA Inc., of Fort Collins, Colo. put young children at risk of serious injury due to multiple safety hazards. CPSC is urging consumers to stop using some metoo clip-on chairs immediately.

To see this safety alert on CPSC’s web site, including pictures of the
products involved, please go to:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml11/11218.html

The Voice Volume 1 Spring 2011 April 27th, 2011

Welcome to First Candle’s newsletter The Voice.

This edition features some of our latest research, support & engagement, advocacy and education efforts. It also contains information on upcoming events and how you can get involved.

• Donate now through our secure server.

CPSC Approves New Mandatory Standard for Toddler Beds April 20th, 2011

The new federal standard for toddler beds will require the following:

• The upper edge of the guardrail must be at least five inches above the toddler bed’s mattress.
• Spindle/slat strength testing for toddler beds must be consistent with the testing required for crib spindles/slats.
• Separate warning labels to address entrapment and strangulation hazards must appear on toddler beds.

Read the CPSC Release for more details

First Candle Joins an International Stillbirth Research Initiative April 14th, 2011

Please click on the photo to view the full Executive Summary

First Candle is pleased to announce that a leading medical journal, The Lancet, is launching a series of research articles focused on stillbirth as an “invisible public health problem”. The articles call attention to the staggering statistics that indicate more than 2.6 million stillbirth deaths occurs annually across the globe. In the United States alone, stillbirth devastates more than 25,000 families each year. First Candle is joining an esteemed team of international organizations to call attention to this groundbreaking research effort as part of our commitment to bringing stillbirth to the forefront as a leading cause of infant death.

This international effort is dedicated to providing research to stillbirth solutions and interventions. First Candle, The International Stillbirth Alliance, Global Alliance for Prevention of Prematurity and Stillbirth (GAPPS), National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD), the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF and Save the Children have all partnered to disseminate information regarding the launch. In addition, there is a long list of researchers diligently working on the final global stillbirth statistics for the Series. The publication represents the efforts of 67 co-authors from 50 organizations in 18 countries. A remarkable series of press conferences around the world has been orchestrated for April 13^th and 14^th in London, South Africa, Geneva, Florence, New York, Seattle, Australia, Canada to name a few.

About The Series: The Lancet’s Stillbirth Series provides the most comprehensive assessment to date of global numbers and causes of stillbirths, perceptions and beliefs around the world, and the solutions to prevent stillbirths—well-known interventions as well as innovations. This Series also includes a global call for action, key findings, and recommendations. Visit their website http://www.TheLancet.com.

About The Lancet: The Lancet publishes a weekly journal and three monthly specialty journals in the fields of oncology, neurology, and infectious diseases. All Lancet specialty journals have existed as both print and online medical journals since first published.

Please join us in spreading the word about the Lancet Series. This is an important step in the right direction and strengthens our ability to advocate for increased awareness and funding for issues related to stillbirth in hopes of a future where all babies survive and thrive.

For more information please contact:

Marian Sokol
President
First Candle
marian@firstcandle.org
210-861-0222

Ashawnda Fleming
Director of Development & Marketing
First Candle
ashawnda@firstcandle.org
800-221-7437

Product Recall from the CPSC March 11th, 2011

Atico International USA Recalls Holiday Rattle Baby Slippers Due to Choking Hazard; Sold Exclusively at Walgreens.  

Learn more