February
21, 2001
Simmons
Juvenile Products, of New London, Wis., is voluntarily recalling more than
68,600 cribs for repair. Bracket hooks that are used to position the height of
the mattress can break, causing the mattress to collapse. Babies can become
trapped and suffocate when this happens.
In
the past four months, Simmons has received more than 800 reports of bracket
hooks breaking. In one case, a 6-month-old hit his chin on the side rail when
the mattress dropped. Simmons is offering a free repair kit, which includes
replacement brackets and instructions. The repair can be made easily in the
home.
Most of the recalled Simmons cribs were made in 1998. Those sold at Sears were
made in 1998, 1999 and 2000. The cribs were sold under the name "Little
Folks". Simmons and the two-digit year of manufacture are written on a
label affixed to the crib's headboard. The year is the two- digit number
following the model number. "Little Folks" is on another label
affixed to the headboard. The cribs are constructed of maple or ash, and are
painted or stained in more than a dozen different colors, including natural,
golden and white. "Simmons" is written on the top rail. Simmons will
help consumers identify if their crib is recalled. Discount, mass merchandise,
juvenile product and department stores, including Sears, sold the cribs
nationwide from January 1998 through December 2000 for between $200 and $600.
Consumers should stop using these recalled cribs immediately and contact
Simmons to receive free replacement brackets by overnight mail. Consumers can
contact Simmons anytime at (800) 421-2951 or at www.simmonsjp.com.