Product Recalls

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission,
4330 East West Highway
Bethesda, MD 20814

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm(s) named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product(s). Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 6, 2010
Release #10-222

Firm's Recall Hotline: (877) 791-9398
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

C&T International/Sorelle Recalls Cribs Due to Strangulation and Suffocation Hazards

Name of Product: Drop-Side Cribs Units: About 170,000

Distributor: C&T International/Sorelle, of East Rutherford, New Jersey. Before 2003, the company also distributed under the name Golden Baby Inc.

Hazard: The cribs' drop-side hardware can disengage from the tracks, causing the drop side to detach from the crib. When the drop-side partially 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 strangulation and/or suffocation. Complete detachment of the drop sides can lead to falls from the crib. In addition, slats can detach from the sides of the cribs. Infants and toddlers can then become entrapped, strangle or fall out of the crib.

Incidents/Injuries: CPSC and C&T/Sorelle have received reports of 104 incidents of drop-side and slat detachments in C&T/Sorelle drop-side cribs. Six infants received bruises and abrasions to the head, face, torso or leg from becoming entrapped or falling after the drop side collapsed. An additional five infants who were entrapped or fell were found by their parents and were not injured.

Description: This recall involves C&T International, Sorelle and Golden Baby wood cribs. The full-size cribs were sold in natural, white and cherry finishes. The model number and/or model name is printed on a label affixed to the footboard or headboard under the Caution statement.

Sold at: Children's product stores and other retailers nationwide from January 2000 through March 2010 for between $300 and $600.

Manufactured in: Italy, Latvia, Brazil, China and Vietnam

Remedy: 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 C&T/Sorelle to receive a free replacement kit. For four of the older models of the cribs - the Hampton, Jackie, Nina and Rita models -- the firm may be unable to supply a part to repair the crib and will, instead, provide consumers with a $100 voucher towards the purchase of another C&T product.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact C&T/Sorelle toll-free at (877)791-9398 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm's website at www.candtinternational.net

Recalled Models Include:

Alessandra; Model Number 180
Alex 3 in 1; Model Number 910
Amelia; Model Number 185
Chelsea; Model Number 100
Federica; Model Number 170
Glenda/Toscana; Model Number 350
Hampton; Model Number 303
Jackie; Model Number 440
Jessica; Model Number 810
Lana; Model Number 240
Leonardo; Model Number 395
Marisa; Model Number 680
Martina; Model Number 135
Mirabella; Model Number 930
Nadia; Model Number 245
Natasha; Model Number 900
Nico; Model Number 630
Nina Pine; Model Number 710
Noelle; Model Number 999
Pagodina; Model Number 195
Rita; Model Number 490 - Manufactured between 2001 and October 2007
Rosa; Model Number 870
Rosemary; Model Number 925
Silver; Model Number 485

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 disengagement. Disengagements 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.

To see this recall on CPSC's web site, including pictures of the recalled products, please go to:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10222.html



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 7, 2010
Release #10-224

Firm's Collect Number: (407) 492-8361 collect
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Girls' Vests with Drawstrings Recalled by MIM-PI USA Due to Strangulation Hazard

Name of Product: Girls' hooded sleeveless vests Units: About 80

Manufacturer: MIM-PI USA LLC, of Orlando, Fla.

Hazard: The garments have a drawstring through the hood which can pose a strangulation hazard to children. In February 1996, CPSC issued guidelines (pdf) to help prevent children from strangling or getting entangled on the neck and waist drawstrings in upper garments, such as jackets and sweatshirts.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported. Manufactured in: China

Description: This recall involves girls' hooded sleeveless vests with drawstrings sold in sizes 2 through 10. The vests were sold in two colors: blue with pink flowers and black with white polka dots. Both styles have a fake fur trim around the hood and a black sweater-like knit trim at the armholes and waist. The vests have an interior zipper covered by an exterior flap closure and a sewn-in neck tag that reads "mim-pi."

Sold at: Children's clothing stores nationwide from January 2009 through December 2009 for about $70.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately remove the drawstrings from the recalled garments to eliminate the hazard. Consumers can also return the vests to the place of purchase for a store credit.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact MIM-PI USA collect at (407) 492-8361 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's website at www.mim-pi.com

To see this recall on CPSC's web site, including pictures of the recalled products, please go to:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10224.html


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 7, 2010
Release #10-225

CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

CPSC Issues Warning on Drop-Side Cribs; 32 Fatalities in Drop-Side Cribs in Last 9 Years

WASHINGTON, D.C. - As part of its commitment to ensure safe sleep for young children, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is once again warning parents and caregivers about deadly hazards with drop-side cribs. In the last five years, CPSC has announced 11 recalls involving more than 7 million drop-side cribs due to suffocation and strangulation hazards created by the drop side. CPSC staff is actively investigating several other crib manufacturers for potential drop-side hazards as part of a larger effort by the agency to rid the marketplace and homes of unsafe cribs. CPSC will continue to take aggressive action to address any risks and will keep the public informed.

CPSC staff has completed a comprehensive review of crib-related infant fatalities reported to the agency between January 2000 and the present. CPSC staff is aware of 32 infant and toddler suffocation and strangulation deaths and hundreds of incidents that were caused by or related to drop-side detachments in cribs made by various manufacturers.

In addition to the 32 deaths the CPSC staff associated with the drop-side detachments, CPSC has received an additional 14 reports of infant fatalities due to entrapment in cribs that could be related to a drop side. The information obtained was insufficient for staff to conclusively determine whether or not the drop side was involved. Of the 32 deaths that were analyzed, some occurred in cribs where the drop side detached without caregivers noticing the detachment, while some other deaths occurred after a consumer tried to repair the detached drop side, but the repair ultimately failed.

In other incidents, consumers unknowingly installed the drop side or drop-side hardware incorrectly. In several cases, this occurred due to incorrect or confusing directions. In these incidents, the drop side still appeared to function as intended, but the stress on the crib hardware resulted in the drop-side detachment.

CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum has committed to parents and caregivers that there will be a new and vastly improved mandatory federal standard for cribs this year. The standard will incorporate, at minimum, the new voluntary standard banning drop-side cribs from the United States market. Due to the new voluntary industry standard, many manufacturers have already stopped selling drop-side cribs or will do so beginning June 1, 2010.

Drop-Side Hazards

CPSC technical staff has determined drop-side cribs generally have a tendency to be less structurally sound than cribs with four fixed sides. Drop-side hardware is prone to break, deform or experience other problems during normal or foreseeable use. The older the crib, the more problems can be expected. When drop-side hardware breaks or deforms, the drop side can detach in one or more corners from the crib. If an infant or toddler rolls or moves into the space created by a partially detached drop side, the child can become entrapped or wedged between the crib mattress and the drop side and suffocate. Infants can also strangle in the "V" shape formed by a drop side that detaches in an upper corner.

Advice to Consumers

Check your crib regularly and make sure it has not already been recalled.

While CPSC staff cannot say that every drop-side crib is hazardous, based on investigations of incidents we have received, the agency believes that overall most drop-side cribs are more prone to mechanical failure than similar designed fixed-side cribs. In addition, older cribs may not meet current voluntary standards. Factors that contribute to safety problems in older cribs include:

The longer a crib is used, the more wear and tear on hardware and joints, allowing screws to loosen and fall out and plastic parts to flex and break.

Repeated assembly and disassembly increases likelihood that crib parts can be damaged or lost.

Wood warps and shrinks over time and glue can become brittle. This can lead to joint and slat failures.

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 disengagement. Disengagements 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.

If your baby is less than six months old and is not yet able to push up to his/her hands and knees, you can put your baby to sleep in a bassinet. Make sure your bassinet has not been recalled. Also, you can use a play yard. Do not put additional bedding such as pillows, thick quilts, comforters or anything plush into your baby's sleeping space. More babies die every year from suffocation in plush sleeping environments than from defective cribs.

To see this release on CPSC's web site, including pictures and descriptions of some of the hazards, and links to more information, please go to:

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10225.html

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The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from thousands of types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard or can injure children. The CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals - contributed significantly to the 30 percent decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC's hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC's teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270. To join a CPSC email subscription list, please go to www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx. Consumers can obtain this release and recall information at CPSC's Web site at www.cpsc.gov.