CPSC Announces A Potential Choking Hazard With "Lewis Of London" Brand Cribs

PRODUCT: Approximately 8,000 "Lewis of London" brand cribs purchased prior to 1990.

PROBLEM: Knobs on latch pin assemblies for an unknown percentage of these cribs may be removed using very little force and the knobs may pose a choking or asphyxiation hazard to children under three years of age. The latch pin assembly consists of a small, moveable knob attached to a shaft which, when pulled outward, allows the crib dropside to be lowered.

WHAT TO DO: Replace the knob if it comes off or can be unscrewed easily. Consumers should contact the retail store where the crib was purchased, or another baby furniture store, for assistance in getting a knob replacement. Lewis of London is not conducting a recall because the company is in bankruptcy. Most of the retail stores known also as "Lewis of London" are franchisees and are not affiliated with the manufacturer of Lewis of London brand cribs.

WASHINGTON DC -- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is warning parents about a potential choking hazard involving the crib latch pin assemblies for all of the approximately 8,000 "Lewis of London" brand cribs purchased prior to 1990. The latch pin assembly consists of a small, moveable knob attached to a shaft which, when pulled outward, allows the crib dropside, or headboard if also moveable, to be lowered. The Commission is recommending replacement of the knob portion of the assembly if it's loose.

The knob portion of the assembly on an unknown percentage of the cribs sold nationwide prior to 1990 may be removed using very little force. If removed, such knobs pose a choking hazard to children under 3 years of age.

CPSC is aware of instances where toddlers placed these knobs in their mouths. The children either found them loose near the crib or were able to remove them from the cribs themselves.

CPSC is not aware of any injuries involving these knobs. This warning and suggested correction is being issued to prevent the possibility of injury.

Consumers are urged to inspect all Lewis of London brand crib knobs on cribs purchased before 1990 for looseness. If a knob comes off or can be unscrewed easily, consumers should contact the retail store where the crib was purchased or another baby furniture store for assistance in getting a knob replacement.

Lewis of London is not conducting a recall because the company is in bankruptcy. The firm was located in Hauppauge, NY. Most of the retail stores known also as "Lewis of London" were franchisees of the Hauppauge, New York firm of the same name prior to bankruptcy. These retail stores are no longer affiliated with the Lewis of London crib importer. They are independent stores and are not going bankrupt.

CPSC is issuing this warning and recommended correction as part of its mission to protect the public from unreasonable risks of injury and death associated with consumer products. The Commission's objective is to help reduce the estimated 28.6 million injuries and 21,700 deaths that occur each year with the 15,000 different types of consumer products within CPSC's jurisdiction.