| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | |
| September 29, 1987 | |
| Release # 87-057 |
CPSC Announces Voluntary Portable Crib Floorboard Replacement
WASHINGTON, DC -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, North States Industries, Inc. of Minneapolis, Minnesota, today announced it is voluntarily replacing the floorboard on a portable crib distributed nationwide by Sears, Roebuck and Co. The portable crib involved has an adjustable floorboard that also allows the crib to function as a changing table. Some 14,500 affected cribs have been sold.The Commission and the firm are aware of an incident involving a young infant who received a fractured skull when the floorboard of her portable crib was dislodged causing her to fall and strike her head on the floor.
The floorboard was in the upper "changing table" position when the infant's grandmother attempted to lower the drop side causing the floorboard to dislodge and the infant to fall. The only other reported incident did not result in injury to the infant occupant.
The affected portable cribs are Sears model numbers 29-30691 (maple stain) and 293-0692 (varnish finish) distributed between March 1, 1986 and December 14, 1986. The product retails for about $70.00. The floorboard contains only one clip attached to the underside and is marked with the word "Front" on the upper surface close to one of the sides (see drawing).
Consumers should stop using the portable cribs immediately and call North States Industries collect at 612-522-6505 to receive a free replacement floorboard.
To prevent the drop side from being lowered while the crib is in the "changing table" position, North States has redesigned the floorboard. The redesigned floorboard can be identified by its six metal clips on the underside and a cautionary label advising against flowering the drop side when the floorboard is in the changing table position. Only consumers owning a floorboard with one clip attached to the underside are affected by this program.
Signs advising consumers of the possible hazard and the availability of the redesigned floorboard were posted in Sears stores beginning in May.
To report similar incidents regarding this product or to receive safety information, consumers may call the CPSC toll-free hotline number at 800-638-CPSC. A teletypewriter number for the hearing impaired is 800-638-8270.
