KTTC Rochester, Austin, Mason City News, Weather and SportsLargest crib recall ever

Largest crib recall ever

ROCHESTER, MN (KTTC DT) -- The largest crib recall ever is underway after reports that four babies suffocated. The Consumer Product Safety Commission says 2.1 million drop-side cribs are being recalled.

Just one day after Monday's recall, the CPSC announced it should be doing a better job dealing with safety problems - and Rochester mom's agree.

Heidi Highet knows a thing or two about kids. She's been a daycare provider for more than four years.

When the Consumer Product Safety Commission announced it's largest-ever crib recall Monday, Highet remembered a similar recall not too long ago.

Heidi Highet, daycare provider says, "We took the thing apart, and sent it up with my dad, took it out in the back 40 (acres) and burned it."

Highet wasn't taking chances then and she certainly isn't now. Highet doesn't own any drop-side cribs, instead uses these called pack and plays.

The drop-side cribs are part of the CPSC's recent recall, 2.1 million of them made by Stork Craft out of Canada. The removable railing, or drop side, has proven to be deadly.

Inez Tenenbaum, CPSC Chairwoman says, "We know of 15 instances and four deaths because children have become entrapped in the drop sides."

Stork Craft is one of the most widely purchased brand names in baby cribs and sold at some of the biggest retailers in the country, including Target, WalMart and Kmart.

Nikki Johns, Liam's mother says, "It was a mixture of suffocation and hanging that caused his death."

Nikki Johns found her nine-month old son Liam stuck between the rails of a drop-side crib. Liam's death led to a massive recall of Simplicity and Graco cribs - the same recall that prompted Highet to burn hers.

Heidi says, "I think it's really up to the parents to watch what they've already purchased once they've made their decision."

The advice from the head of the CPSC - if you have an old crib, get rid of it.

Tenenbaum says, "People like to pass baby items down from generation to generation but it's not worth it, it's not worth it if babies can be seriously injured or killed."

For a list of recalled cribs click on links on the KTTC web site.