Report identifies additional hidden crib dangers

The Chicago Tribune published a report on November 16 of this year identifying additional hazards in baby cribs sold in the U.S.  The story noted that after 1.6 million cribs were recalled earlier this fall, kits were distributed by Delta Enterprise to improve the safety of the cribs'  hazardous drop rails.  According to the article, these kits have not eliminated the risk of strangulation deaths and have instead given parents a false sense of security.

Earlier "fixes" in the 1970s and 1980s rendered baby cribs much safer, however, as they are increasingly complex and more likely to be manufactured abroad, cribs have once again become a safety issue.  As a result, the Consumer Product Safety Commission has been overwhelmed with crib investigations and has reported nine fatalities and many injuries and complaints in the past year alone.  It has challenged the adequacy of the regulation system adopted under President Reagan.