CPSC, Simmons Announce Recall to Repair Cribs

WASHINGTON, D.C.- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), 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. Only "98" cribs of all models are recalled, except for Sears cribs. For Sears cribs (which are model numbers 025260 and 065060), the years "98", "99" and "00" are recalled because the problem bracket hooks were used all three years. The brackets on all other Simmons cribs except for Sears changed to different type attachments after 1998. 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.

Update: Firm no longer in business. Recall remedy no longer available. Discard the product. Do not donate or resell.

Simmons is offering a free repair kit, which includes replacement brackets and instructions. The repair can be made easily in the home.

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.