Recall: "Tiffany" and "Josephine" Crib Drop-Side Rails Recalled by Babi Italia/LaJobi Industries

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 4, 2003 Release # 03-137

Firm's Recall Hotline: (877) 440-2224 CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: Nychelle Fleming, (301) 504-7908

CPSC, Babi Italia/LaJobi Industries Announce Recall to Replace "Tiffany" and "Josephine" Crib Drop-Side Rails

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Babi Italia, a division of LaJobi Industries Inc., of Edison, N.J., is voluntarily recalling to replace crib drop-side rails for about 2,000 "Tiffany" and "Josephine" model cribs. The slats on the drop-side rails can come loose or detach. A child's head can get caught in the space left by loose or missing slats, presenting an entrapment hazard. In addition, children can fall through the slat opening.

CPSC and LaJobi have received 41 reports of slats separating from rails of the crib. One child became entrapped between slats that came loose. Ten children fell out of the crib when the slats came out of the drop-side rail. No serious injuries have been reported.

The "Tiffany" and "Josephine" model cribs are made of solid natural wood with a chest of drawers attached to the footboard. The cribs can be converted into a toddler bed and an adult bed. The Tiffany cribs were manufactured from June through October 2001 and the Josephine cribs were manufactured from January through October 2001. The crib manufacture date code is located on the inside bottom of the headboard. The four middle numbers inside the eight-digit production number indicate the month and year of manufacture. Tiffany cribs with production date codes (four middle numbers) 0601, 0701, 0801, 0901 and 1001 and Josephine cribs with production date codes (four middle numbers) 0101, 0201, 0301, 0401, 0501, 0601, 0701, 0801, 0901, and 1001 are included in the recall.

Babies R Us sold the recalled cribs exclusively from July 2001 through January 2003 for about $500.

Consumers should stop using these cribs immediately and contact LaJobi immediately to receive replacement drop-side rails. Consumers should contact LaJobi at (877) 440-2224 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday. Consumers also can visit the firm's Web site at www.babiitalia.com