Baby Bargains Book Blog

RECALL EXPANDED: Jardine cribs sold at Babies R Us

NEWS from CPSC

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Office of Information and Public Affairs

Washington, DC 20207

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 30, 2009 Release #09-207

Firm's Recall Hotline: 800) 646-4106 CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Jardine Announces Second Recall Expansion of Cribs Sold by Babies'R'Us; Cribs Pose Entrapment and Strangulation 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.

Name of Product: Jardine Cribs

Units: About 96,000 (320,000 units were previously recalled in June 2008 and 56,450 units were recalled in January 2009)

Manufacturer: Jardine Enterprises, of Taipei, Taiwan

Hazard: The wooden crib slats can break, creating a gap, which can pose an entrapment and strangulation hazard to infants and toddlers.

Incidents/Injuries: CPSC has received 31 incident reports of slats breaking, including two reports of children becoming entrapped in the gap created by the broken slat on the crib models identified below. In 10 of these incidents, consumers reported that their child broke the slat while in the crib. There was one report of minor injuries (bumps and abrasions.)

Description: This recall involves 7 models of Jardine wooden cribs with the date codes identified below. Cribs with other date codes are not affected by this recall. The date code and model number are printed on the label located on the inside of the bottom rail of the headboard or footboard.

Additional Recalled Jardine Cribs

Additional Recalled Jardine Cribs

Model #	Description	Date Code Between
0102B00	Drop-side Natural Olympia Single	9/2005-1/2007
0102E00	Drop-side Dark Pine Olympia Single	9/2005-1/2008
0302P00	Black Olympia Lifetime	11/2005-5/2008
0302C00	White Olympia Lifetime	6/2006-12/2006
0312D00	Americana Pecan 4-in-1	5/2006-11/2007
0308L00	Antique Walnut Capri 4-in-1	12/2005-11/2007
0108C00	Drop-side White Capri Single	8/2006-11/2007

Sold at: KidsWorld, Geoffrey Stores, Toys “R” Us, and Babies “R” Us stores nationwide, and at babiesrus.com, from September 2005 through April 2009 for between $220 and $330.

Manufactured in: China and Vietnam

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled cribs and contact Jardine to receive a full credit toward the purchase of a new crib. Jardine will provide consumers with detailed instructions for purchasing cribs in retail stores and online.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Jardine at (800) 646-4106 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site athttp://www.jardinecribrecall.com/

Drop Side Natural Olympia Single Model# 0102B00	Drop Side Dark Pine Olympia Single Model# 0102E00
Drop Side White Capri Single Model# 0108C00
White Olympia Lifetime Model# 0302C00	Antique Walnut Capri 4-in-1 Model# 0308L00
Americana Pecan 4-in-1 Model# 0312D00	Black Olympia Lifetime Model# 0302P00

CPSC is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about it by visiting https://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/incident.aspx

Babies R Us drops drop-side cribs

On the day before the government held a special meeting to toughen crib safety standards, Babies R Us announced it was dropping drop-side cribs, according to the  Wall Street Journal.

The Journal reports:

"There are enough concerns raised about drop-side cribs that we're moving forward and we're going to phase them out," the company's Chairman and Chief Executive Jerry Storch said in an interview. While Mr. Storch said he doesn't necessarily believe newer drop-side cribs are dangerous, he's concerned about the amount of time consumers are keeping their cribs, especially in this economy. "It adds in an element of risk that we don't want to take, particularly over time," he said. "It seems that the strongest cribs are ones where the four sides attach to each other and have less complicated hardware."

BRU's move comes after 4.2 million cribs were recalled in the past two years---many of those recalled cribs were drop-sides. Of course, BRU played its own role in this drama, recalling 376,000 Jardine cribs in 2008 for defective slats. 

BRU seems to be employing the classic technique of getting out in front of bad news (that is, the government questioning crib safety). But remember that the Jardine cribs recalled in 2008 weren't ancient relics from the 70's---they were at most six years old. And, since Jardine is a Babies R Us exclusive, we assume BRU was heavily involved the crib's specifications, design and price.

So will the new static-only cribs cost more for consumers? 

Mr. Storch of Toys "R" Us said his company toughened its internal crib standards last fall to include added testing and other requirements that go beyond federal regulations and the ASTM's voluntary standards. Those changes will likely add about 5% to 15% to the cost of supplying a crib, he said.

Only some of that will likely be passed on to consumers, Mr. Storch said. Among other things, the company began requiring that spindles be inserted into crib rails at a minimum depth of half an inch, and it required that wood such as aspen and mahogany be used instead of tropical hardwood that's cheaper but not necessarily as reliable. It also borrowed from tougher Canadian and British standards for cribs.

It's frustrating that drop-side cribs are becoming the fall guy here----for decades, these cribs were made without significant safety problems. Now, suddenly, they are dangerous? This debate seems to be distracting from the real issue: the lack of enforcement of safety rules . . . and the willingness of some crib makers and sellers to cut corners to drive crib prices lower.

 

Corrections: Creations cribs, Chicco stroller, Sunshine Kids Radian and more

Yes, the 8th edition of our book is brand new, but we do have three corrections to report:

• Creations (crib chapter) imports cribs from China and Vietnam, not just Vietnam as reported in the book.

This is a good example of how reporting this info is a moving target---manufacturers often shift production to take advantage of lower costs or better quality. If they have a problem with one plant, makers will quickly shift to another facility. 

Creations is typical of this issue: the company started making goods in VIetnam. That didn't work too well (there were numerous quality problems), so production was shifted to China. In the past year, some of the production has shifted back to Vietnam (a different factory, however). Right now, 10 collections are made in China; 4 in Vietnam. 

• Chicco's revised Trevi Twin stroller that can hold a car seat was set to debut this spring, but that has been delayed, reports the company. Hence, the current Trevi Twin will remain on the market for the time being---and it does NOT hold an infant car seat. No word on when the new one will debut, but we'd bet later in 2009. We'll post more on this when we get an update from Chicco.

• Sunshine Kids Radian car seat works now works up to 53" in height, not the 49" as reported in the book. Thanks to reader Trisha G for spotting this change!

• California Kids phone number on page 137 has the wrong area code: it should be 650. Their 800# is disconnected.

• The Beco baby carrier can only be used with baby facing toward you. We mistakenly said baby could also face out; that is incorrect.

• The Simmons Maxipedic Crib mattress that we recommended at Babies R Us has been replaced by a new model: the Simmons Beautyrest.

A green crib for under $200?

Graco/Bonavita have launched the first green crib to sell for under $200---the Dakota will be available at Wal-Mart exclusively until August 1. The crib runs $199, a changing table is $130.

What makes it green? Here's the official word:

The Dakota Collection is the first Graco Baby Furniture to be eco friendly.
It is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). All wooden
components are sustainable woods from responsibly managed forests and are
certified to the standards of the FSC by the Rainforest Alliance SmartWood
Program. All finishes are water based  and packaging is from recycled or
recyclable materials.

What do you think?

Bedding update: Crib linens still made in the USA

Is possible to buy crib bedding that's still made in the USA? Actually, yes!

Donna Holzbaur of the Nursery Depot, writes in today with an update on which lines are still made domestically:

Many customers are interested in purchasing their baby bedding from manufacturers who produce their products in the USA.  In today's marketplace, that can be difficult.  Firstly, let me say that any bedding set that is embroidered or appliquéd (which means that it made with pieces of fabric cut and sewn in cute designs -i.e.  animals or butterflies sewn on the pieces) is not made in the USA.  The labor intensive workmanship means that it can only be made overseas at the prices we have become accustomed to paying for crib sets.

So if you are determined to purchase from a manufacturer that produces in the USA, you will be looking at sets that use different fabrics for their design.  These will usually be more sophisticated in design and more expensive.  Here's a summary of some of the top bedding manufacturers that produce in the states. 

Glenna Jean-Glenna Jean sews about 95% of their patterns in their Virginia facility.  They usually have about 1-3 sets that are imported though. Look for the appliqués (which means imported), or a lower price than the rest of their sets , or ask to verify. Glenna Jean specializes in two areas- using beautiful, feminine fabrics, creating stunning patterns and using bold, modern,and bright colors and designs.

Banana Fish- Banana Fish up until two years ago, made most of their sets in California.  More recently, they have moved about half of their production overseas-  They still make about half of their sets in the USA. In order to determine which sets are made in the states, look at the price tag -- those sets in the $100's are imported and those in the $200's are domestic.

California Kids (except appliqued patterns), Terra Sutta, Carousel Designs, Pixel all produce in the United States.

Donna will be writing in with updates from the world of crib bedding---if you have any questions, feel free to post them in the comments! 

Recall: Simplicity Play Yards

NEWS from CPSC

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Office of Information and Public Affairs

Washington, DC 20207

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 7, 2009 Release #09-187

See Retailer Contact Information Below CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Simplicity Play Yards Recalled by Various Retailers Due to Fall and Entrapment 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.

Name of Product: Travel Tender Play Yards

Units: About 25,000

Importer: Simplicity, Inc. and SFCA, Inc., of Reading, Pa. (The firms appear to no longer conduct day to day operations)

Hazard: One or more rails can collapse unexpectedly, posing a fall or entrapment hazard to young children.

Incidents/Injuries: CPSC is aware of at least five reports of one or more rails collapsing. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The recalled play yards are portable and were sold with a bassinet, changing table and mobile features. The play yards bear the “Simplicity” logo. The model numbers are 5500DRM, 5500WDS, 5500FEL, 5501FEL, 5502MON, 5520PRO, 5550HAN, 5700MAN, and 5750MIR. The model number is located on a sticker on one of the legs underneath the play yard.

Sold at: Burlington Coat Factory stores nationwide and online at Babiesrus.com, Target.com and Kohls.com from March 2005 through January 2009 for about $100.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the play yards and return them to the place of purchase for a refund or replacement product.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact the following retailers:

• Burlington Coat Factory, of Burlington, N.J. Call toll-free at (888) 223-2628 between 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.
  
• Babies R Us, of Wayne, N.J. Call (800) 869-7787 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Sunday ET or visit the firm’s Web site atwww.babiesrus.com
  
• Target, of Minneapolis, Minn. Call (800) 440-0680 between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Web site at www.target.com
  
• Kohl’s Department Stores, of Menomonee Falls, Wis. Call toll-free at (866) 887-8884 between 7a.m. and 3 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Web site atwww.kohls.com
  

Updated chapters now available for download!

Hi folks!

As you may know, we have just released the 8th edition of our BABY BARGAINS book. And good news: updated chapters to cribs, car seats, strollers and feeding/high chairs are now available to download.

If you have a past edition of the book and just need one or two chapters again, you can download it as a PDF for just $2.99 each.

Click here for details!

Thanks!

Alan & Denise Fields

authors, BABY BARGAINS

Mergers & Acquisitions: Phil & Ted's buys Mountain Buggy, Chicco to acquire Stokke?

We were out of town last week when some of this news broke, so let's catch you up on the world of mergers in baby products:

Phil & Ted's has acquired the assets of Mountain Buggy (report). As we've reported, Mountain Buggy declared bankruptcy earlier this year, amid slumping sales and a pile of debt. Well, fellow New Zealanders Phil & Ted's know a bargain when they see one---they have snapped up Mountain Buggy for an undisclosed price.

No surprise here: both companies are in the same business (all-terrain strollers), both are based in New Zealand, etc. 

There's no word yet on how Phil & Ted plans to integrate the line or whether the Mountain Buggy brand will continue.

In other news: Daddytypes reports a rumor that Italian stroller company Chicco plans to acquire high chair/crib maker Stokke. We haven't seen any other reports of this yet----but we did notice that Stokke's sales manager has left the company in recent weeks, which may be a sign.

Wal-Mart now selling Little Castle gliders

Little Castle, a glider-rocker line reviewed in Chapter 2 of our book, has started selling several styles via WalMart.com. 

There are a dozen options which range from $365 to $550. Ottomans are $140. While these are only sold online, the gliders are are available for Wal-Mart's site to store shipping option.

That's a deal---most Little Castle gliders at retail run $600 to $1000.

To find them, go to WalMart.com, click on the baby store. Then do a search for Little Castle.

(Thanks to reader Theresa M. who spotted this deal.)

Experts: Toddlers belong in rear-facing car seat until age 2

The American Academy of Pediatrics is now recommending toddlers stay rear-facing in car seats until age 2, according to a report released today. (See below for full report).

The AAP reports: 

Recent data shows why toddlers between ages 12 and 23 months who ride rear-facing in a car safety seat are more than five times safer than those riding forward-facing in a seat.

This replaces a previous recommendation that toddlers be rear-facing until age one. Other safety experts recommend rear-facing for "as long as possible"---this is the first report that specifies age 2.

The only hitch to this recommendation: some car seats won't be able to safely hold a two-year-old rear-facing. Why? According to CDC growth charts, the average weight of a 24 month old baby is 28 pounds (boys) and 26.5 pounds (girls). (FYI: We corrected these figures after a reader below pointed out our initial post overstated these numbers---we apologize for that).

While most convertible car seats work to 35 pounds rear-facing, a few models still only go to 30 or 33. Example: Combi's new Cocorro convertible seat only goes to 33 pounds. And the Combi Zeus is only 22 pounds rear facing. Most Britax seats, however, are 35 pounds rear-facing.

And remember that the 27-28 pound weight of a 2 year old is the MEDIAN figure---or 50th percentile weight. The biggest babies (100th percentile) would be close to 34 pounds by the time they hit their 2nd birthdays.

Bottom line: be sure you get a car seat that works rear-facing to at least 35 pounds. 

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Above, we posted a link to a summary of this report that is on the AAP web site. The actual article in the AAP news is on their subscription-only part of their web site (that is, not viewable by the public). Since we've received so many queries about this today, we are reprinting the entire report below:

New advice: Rear-facing car seats safer for children until they are 2

by Lori O’Keefe • Correspondent

Toddlers between the ages of 12 and 23 months who ride rear-facing in a car safety seat are more than five times safer than toddlers in that same age group who ride forward-facing in a car seat.

Overall, children under the age of 2 are 75% less likely to die or experience a serious injury when they ride in a rear-facing car seat, according to the first U.S. data to substantiate the benefits of toddlers riding rear-facing until they are almost 2 years old (Henary B, et al. Inj Prev. 2007;13:398-402).

There is a common myth that rear-facing toddlers whose feet reach the back of the vehicle seat are more likely to suffer injuries to the lower extremities in a car accident, according to a commentary co-written by Marilyn J. Bull, M.D., FAAP, AAP District V chair and one of the co-authors of the study. However, lower extremity injuries are rare with rear-facing seats, Dr. Bull wrote in the commentary (Bull MJ, Durbin DR. Pediatrics. 2008;121:619-620).

Rear-facing seats are more likely to support the back, neck, head and pelvis because the force of a crash is distributed evenly over the entire body. Forward-facing children are more likely to be injured because the force of the crash is concentrated on seat belt contact points, and younger children’s heads are disproportionately large for their small, weak necks, according to the study.

“I teach my medical students that parents worry about leg injuries but that it is far better to send children to orthopedic specialists to have lower extremities treated than to send them to neurological specialists to have cervical spine injuries treated,” said Dr. Bull. “I put it into the context of rehabilitation potential: fracture vs. paralysis.”

In Sweden, children ride in rear-facing seats until the age of 4, which has been proven to be 90% effective compared to children who ride unrestrained. However, car seats are engineered differently in Sweden to allow older toddlers to remain rear-facing longer.

“Since motor vehicle injuries are the leading cause of death in children, the Academy must do whatever it can to educate our members and the general public about the safest ways for children to ride in motor vehicles,” said AAP President David T. Tayloe Jr., M.D., FAAP. “We should make sure all of our members know to encourage parents to keep their children in rear-facing car seats as long as they do not exceed the size limits of the car seats.”

Dr. Bull noted that it takes less than 30 seconds to tell parents that children are five times safer riding rear-facing until their second birthday — a statistic that is likely to stick with parents.