Crib side rails

CPSC Recall #95-076 — February 9, 1995

Recall Summary

Recall Number95-076
Recall DateFebruary 9, 1995
Remedy TypeReplace, Repair
Units AffectedAbout 278,000
ManufacturerOkla Homer Smith Furniture Manufacturing Company of Fort Smith, Ark.

Product

Crib side rails

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - CPSC, Okla Homer Smith Furniture Manufacturing Company of Fort Smith, Ark., is recalling and replacing drop side rails that have missing or loose slats on certain models of its cribs. A child's head can get caught in the loose or missing slats, presenting an entrapment hazard. In September 1993, a child died in an Okla Homer Smith crib with a missing slat that was used in a homeless shelter. The company has received additional complaints of loose or missing slats, a few of which have resulted in minor injuries (scratches and bruises) to children. The following models of cribs manufactured between April 1992 and December 1993 may have missing or loose side rail slats: 30562, 80005, 80007, 80010, 80012, 80023, 80029, 80035, 80038, 80054, 80056, 80057, 80068, 80090. About 278,000 cribs, sold nationwide at mass merchandise and juvenile specialty stores for about $100 are subject to this recall. Consumers should check the bottom of the crib headboard below the mattress for the model number and manufacture date. Owners of cribs with the above models should check the drop side rail slats to make sure the slats are secure. If the rail slats are missing or feel loose, consumers should contact the company to arrange for a free drop side rail replacement or retrofit kit. DO NOT USE A CRIB WITH MISSING SLATS. Consumers owning cribs subject to this recall are urged to call the company for a free retrofit kit to make sure the slats remain secure. For more information, consumers should call 800-544-1108 (COSCO, which is handling the customer service for this recall) or write Okla Homer Smith Furniture Manufacturing Company, P.O. Box 1148, 416 South Fifth Street, Fort Smith, AR 72901.

Hazard

A child's head can get caught in the loose or missing slats, presenting an entrapment hazard.

Incidents & Injuries

In September 1993, a child died in an Okla Homer Smith crib with a missing slat that was used in a homeless shelter. The company has received additional complaints of loose or missing slats, a few of which have resulted in minor injuries (scratches and bruises) to children.

Remedy Instructions

If the rail slats are missing or feel loose, consumers should contact the company to arrange for a free drop side rail replacement or retrofit kit. DO NOT USE A CRIB WITH MISSING SLATS. Consumers owning cribs subject to this recall are urged to call the company for a free retrofit kit to make sure the slats remain secure.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Replace, Repair at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly — either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Replace, Repair) at no cost to you.

Yes. If you were injured by a defective consumer product — whether recalled or not — you may have grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer and potentially the retailer. A recall notice can serve as evidence that the manufacturer was aware of the defect. Injuries that may support a claim include burns, lacerations, fractures, electric shock, choking incidents, and chemical exposure. Most product liability attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless you win. Consult an attorney promptly, as statutes of limitation vary by state.

In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.

If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney — parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.