More Than 2 Million Cribs Recalled, Austin Stores Pulling Cribs Off Shelves

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Austin-area stores are busy pulling cribs from their shelves. More than 2 million drop-side cribs are under a government recall.

The CPSC issued the recall after reports of four infants suffocated. The drop sides on the Stork Craft Cribs can detach and create dangerous gaps.

Like many parents, Amanda Pulley had no idea more than two million Stork Craft drop-side cribs are being recalled.

"It's a little scary sometimes," said Pulley.

In Central Texas, the cribs were sold at J-C Penney, Sears, USA Baby and Wal-Mart stores. They were also sold online at Amazon.com, BabiesRUs.com, Costco.com, Target.com, and Walmart.com.

While it is illegal to sell recalled items, one can still find the cribs at garage sales and on Web sites like Craigslist. Thrift stores like Salvation Army and Goodwill are regularly notified by CPSC. Though managers said they can sell used cribs, neither North Austin location had any of the recalled cribs. It is a relief for moms like Pulley who said she cannot always keep up.

"There're so many items and things you buy for your kid," said Pulley. "I feel like I am not up on all of it."

However Gary Walthall, owner of the North and South Austin Once Upon a Child resale stores said he is.

"We do keep an eye on safety products recalls [to] make sure the product is safe for the child," said Walthall.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission blames Stork Craft drop-side cribs for the four infant deaths.

"The child is getting caught between these two pieces the top piece from the recalled crib is actually separating from the end," explains Walthall. "What they mean by drop side is one side will drop off. That's how you gain entry to the crib."

Walthall had one drop-side crib in his North Austin store, but it is not on the recall list. However, there is a good chance all drop side cribs will be discontinued according to CPSC.

The head of CPSC, Inez Tenenbaum, spoke on NBC's Today Show Tuesday morning and said it is possible drop-side cribs will be phased out entirely.

"We will look at this issue about drop-side [cribs], but I do not think that drop-sides, if it's not going to be certified by the industry, will be a part of cribs in the future,” said Tenenbaum. "And short of replacing the crib, if you can get the kit from Stork Craft to make the side immovable. That's another remedy for this situation."

Still, Walthall will continue to sell the cribs as long as they have not been recalled.

Many companies in the last couple of years had to recall their baby furniture and toys from the market. None of those recalls were as big as this Stork Craft cribs recall, that the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission issued. This is the highest number of cribs recalled in history. The Crib Recall List November 2009 includes 2.1 million cribs manufactured by the British Columbia company.

About 1.2 million cribs in the U.S. and 968,000 cribs in Canada are affected by the recall, including some that are Fisher Price branded. All Stork Craft drop-side cribs manufactured between January 1993 and October 2009 with plastic trigger and one-hand-system drop-side hardware are recalled.

Fisher Price brand drop-side cribs manufactured between October 1997 and December 2004 are also included. The manufacturer name and manufacture date should be found on the assembly instruction sheet, which is attached to the mattress support board.

According to manufactures, parents should stop using these cribs immediately and find another sleeping environment for the baby until getting and installing the free repair kit. Concerned parents can order the repair kit by calling 877-274-0277.