Warning
1998-03
January 23, 1998
Baby cribs found hazardous
OTTAWA - Health Canada today warned consumers about the risks associated with cribs manufactured in Canada by Benjamin Strollers Co. Limited. While no injuries or deaths related to these cribs have been reported to Health Canada, the department has identified safety problems through laboratory testing and complaints received.
Crib models Roma, Milano, 200 and 600, which have been sold nationwide since January 1996, fail to comply with the standards set out in the Cribs and Cradles Regulations of the Hazardous Products Act. For these models, structural failures and other unsafe physical characteristics of cribs have been identified by laboratory testing. Consumers are warned to stop using these cribs and to find a safe replacement immediately. Retailers are being asked to stop sale of these cribs.
Other structural weaknesses have been identified through consumer complaints on other models that were sold nationwide between 1985 and 1996. Health Canada has received complaints about the following model: Laura, Marina, Marina II, Marina BL, Marina White, Model 300, Model 800, Style 800, Monica, Nicola, Nicola 800, Nicola 5621, Sara, Suzy and Wave. These cribs may have improper labelling and may not carry any brand or model identification. Some of the complaints are:
- slats that may come apart and create a space greater than 6 cm wide.
- structural damage that could cause dislodgement of the mattress support
These problems present a risk of head entrapment and suffocation. Also, babies could fall from the crib and be seriously injured.
Consumers who think that they may own a crib manufactured by Benjamin Strollers Co. Ltd., other than the Roma, Milano, 200 and 600 models, should check the crib for signs of structural weakness or damage. Health Canada advises consumers to:
- ensure that each slat is solidly attached and does not rotate when twisted,
- apply a downwards force at each corner of the mattress support to make certain that it remains in place; and
- inspect the whole crib to check for signs of damage, especially where bolts or screws are inserted into wood. Make certain that the wood is not damaged at such insertion points.
If the crib shows signs of structural damage or if in doubt, consumers are advised to find a safe replacement immediately and to contact Benjamin Strollers Co. Ltd. directly at:
Benjamin Strollers Co. Ltd.
211 Bowes Road
Concord, Ontario
L4K 1J1
Tel. (905) 738-0084
Retailers of cribs made by Benjamin Strollers Co. Ltd. are urged to contact a Product Safety Officer at the nearest Health Canada office:
- Burnaby (604) 666-5003
- Edmonton (403) 495-2626
- Calgary (403) 292-4677
- Saskatoon (306) 975-4028
- Winnipeg (204) 983-5490
- Scarborough (416) 973-4705
- Hamilton (905) 572-2845
- Montreal (514) 283-5488
- Sillery (418) 648-4327
- Moncton (506) 851-6638
- Dartmouth (902) 426-8300
- St. John's (709) 772-4050
Media inquiries:
Yves Fortin
Health Canada
(613) 952-6260
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