| 2008 has had several crib recalls by the manufacturers through the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) and that serves as a reminder to the lodging industry that we should pay special attention to the cribs we provide for guests. AGAIN, this information is more likely to be part of an off-the-job safety effort in which you are keeping staff members informed. However, it is wise to check the establishment's inventory if you have any of the Delta style cribs.
An infant death prompted a recall to repair on October 21, 2008 of 600,000 Drop Side Cribs by Delta Enterprise; Spring Peg Failure Can Cause Entrapment and Suffocation Hazards.
The recall involves all Delta drop side cribs manufactured prior to 2006 that use "Crib Trigger Lock with Spring Peg" drop side hardware design. The recalled model numbers and country of origin include: 4340, 4343, 4520, 4600, 4620, 4624, 4625, 4629, 4660, 4665, 4720, 4750, 4751, 4850, 4855, 4857, 4880, 4920, 4925-2, 4925-2B, 4925-6, 4980, and 8605. The model number, country of origin and manufacture dates are located on top of the mattress support board. The recalled cribs have Delta's name and address on the mattress support boards and Delta's logo on the teething rail. The cribs were made in China and were sold at major retailers nationwide from January, 2000 through January, 2007 for between $33 and $200. Cribs currently sold at retail are not involved.
Another infant death has resulted in recall for repair 985,000 Delta Enterprise Drop Side Cribs; Missing Safety Pegs Can Cause Entrapment and Suffocation Hazards. The recall involves all Delta cribs manufacturer in Taiwan or Indonesia, with the "Crib Trigger Lock with Safety Peg" drop side hardware design. These model numbers and country of origin can be located on the mattress support board label: 4320, 4340. 4500, 4520, 4530, 4532, 4540, 4542, 4550, 4551, 4580, 4600, 4620, 4624, (production dates 01/06 through 11/07), 4640, 4660, 4720, 4735, 4742, 4750 (production dates 01/95 through 12/00), 4760, 4770, 4780, 4790, 4820, 4840, 4850, 4860, 4880, 4890, 4892, 4900, 4910, 4920, 4925-2, 4925-6, 4930, 4940, 4943, 4944, 4947, 4948, 4949, 4950, 4958, 4963, 4968, and 4980.
The recalled cribs have date codes ranging from 1995 through December, 2005 and one model (4624) was made in 2007. The model numbers are located on the top of the model support board.
The cribs, which were made in Taiwan and Indonesia, were sold at major retailers, including Walmart, Kmart and Target.com from January, 1995 through September, 2007 for about $100. These cribs have also been found to be sold secondhand. Cribs currently sold at retailare not involved.
Further details and a free, easy-to-install repair kit may be obtained by calling .Delta's Recall Hotline (800) 816-5304 For the 985,000 recalled cribs for missing safety pegs, the repair kit will include safety pegs in a bold color and warning labels to be affixed to the mattress board.
It is recommended you also do a further crib search at www.cpsc.gov to be sure you have no other units that may have been recalled.
Once you have determined there are no recalled units on the premises, the responsibility for the condition of the crib shifts to you. There is the danger cribs may be poorly stored and maintained. Storage space is always in short supply in most lodging establishments. However, if you are providing a sleeping unit for an infant guest, it is critical a proper storage facility be established.
Set up your own computerized crib maintenance program. Number each crib and list it on a regular maintenance schedule. Maintenance should include verification of secured bed slats and crib frame, a proper fitting mattress that will not entrap a sleeping child and a correctly installed and operating drop-side. Make sure the drop side or other moving parts operate smoothly. Always check all sides and corners of the crib for disengagement. Any disengagement can create a gap and trap a child. Until repair can be accomplished, remove any cribs from service with missing, broken, or loose parts. Make sure to tighten hardware from time to time to keep the crib sturdy. Never do a temporary repair using tape, wire or rope. Finials or other appurtenances that might injure an infant who is able to stand and hold onto any side section of the crib should preferably be removed.
With the continuing focus on lead paint on toys, furniture and other articles, it is advisable to verify with the manufacturer and/or purchasing source as to whether the paint is satisfactory and lead free.
Supplementing the engineering and maintenance function, the houseman or other designated staff should be thoroughly trained in proper storage; delivery of the unit to the guest room; verification the unit is secured; and the parent or guardian is instructed in proper use of the crib. To avoid language difficulty and misunderstanding, an illustrated sheet of instruction (in the several languages most frequently encountered at your establishment) should be provided.
The Housekeeping Department must ensure there is a fitted crib sheet. The sheet should have a warning label advising: "Prevent suffocation or entanglement. Never use crib sheets unless it fits securely on crib mattress." Make sure the crib sheet fits snugly on a crib mattress and overlaps the mattress so pulling on a corner of the sheet cannot dislodge it. Never use an adult sheet on a crib mattress. It can come loose and present an entanglement hazard to infants or young children.
With attribution to CPSC, the instructions to the parent or guardian should include at least the following:
Place baby on his/her back on a firm, tight-fitting mattress in a crib which has been verified to be secure (no movement that could open a space in which a child could become entangled.)
Remove pillows, quilts, comforters, sheepskins, and soft-stuffed toys from the crib.
|
Article
Review Your Crib Maintenance and Inspection Program