By the end of the year, it will be illegal in the U.S. to sell drop-side cribs and for places like daycare centers and hotels to use them. Repeat offenders of the ban, which comes after years of growing concern about the cribs, could face criminal penalties, The Washington Post reports.
The cribs, which have one side that lowers completely for easier access to a child, have caused 32 deaths in the U.S. since 2000. The movable side can come loose and pose hazards, such as a child getting stuck between the drop side and mattress. Since 2005, the Consumer Product Safety Commission has recalled 7 million drop-side cribs, including the largest single product recall of 2 million cribs last year.
An industry group official said the cribs are not inherently hazardous, noting that most deaths occur when a part malfunctions or after incorrect assembly. Because of the high cost of a new crib, many change hands at garage sales or within families and are passed along with missing parts or faulty hardware.
The drop-side crib has been on the U.S. market since the 1940s; it is unknown how many are still in use. The CPSC recommends that parents throw away older drop-side cribs.
