Governor David Patterson has signed legislation banning the sale, import, manufacture or distribution of drop side cribs in New York State. The ban takes effect in October.
Although the cribs became popular among parents and caregivers, poor design, poorly written assembly directions, or broken pieces can all cause the side rail to fall unexpectedly, or separate from the rest of the bed, creating an entrapment hazard, which can lead to strangulation or suffocation.
In the wake of the recall of 9 million drop side cribs, the Consumer Products Safety Commission warned parents to stop using such cribs.
According to the CPSC drop side cribs have been implicated in 153 deaths in the past four years. Earlier this summer, the agency approved a proposal to ban these cribs. The sale of drop-side cribs is also prohibited in eight states including Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Washington.
Thanks to Maju Varghese for his contribution to this post.