The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada have recalled 2.1 million Stork Craft cribs after four suffocation deaths. (Consumer Product Safety Commission)

When Health Canada and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recalled more than 2.1 million drop-side cribs made by B.C.-based Stork Craft Manufacturing, it became the biggest crib recall in history. Cribs are among the most common products recalled when it comes to products affecting children.

The recall was the second major one for Stork Craft Manufacturing in 2009. The last one — on Jan. 14, 2009 — involved just under 1.3 million cribs in Canada and the United States. The problem with the cribs that time involved the metal brackets used to support the crib mattress and mattress board. They were susceptible to cracking and breaking. When one or more support brackets break, the mattress can collapse and create a dangerous gap between the mattress and crib rails, in which a child can become entrapped and suffocate.

The company reported 10 incidents where support brackets broke. One toddler suffered bruises to his forehead.

Other recent crib recalls include:

• Six models of Jardine cribs on April 30, 2009. This recall involved 96,000 units in which the wooden crib slats could break and create a gap, which posed an entrapment and strangulation hazard to infants and toddlers. There were 31 incidents reported, including two of children getting trapped.
• Several models of Jardine cribs on June 24, 2008. This recall involved 320,000 units in which wooden slats and spindles could break, creating a safety hazard. A total of 42 incidents were reported, including four in which children became trapped.
• Several models of the Dark Pine Olympia Lifetime Crib made by Jardine on Jan. 6, 2009. This recall also involved wooden slats that could break and cause an entrapment hazard. There were 19 incidents reported, but no injuries.
• Several models of Delta cribs on Oct. 21, 2008. This recall involved 600,000 units in which a gap could form if safety pegs were not used with the lower track. One child suffocated after become trapped when the pegs weren't used. Two other children were trapped but survived.
• Simmons Kids Crib Mattresses on June 5, 2008. In this recall 20,000 mattresses were deemed too small for standard cribs, which could create a gap between the mattress and crib walls. One baby became trapped, but was not injured.

Choking and strangulation risks major concerns

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that in 2000, 160 American children under the age of 14 died due to choking. Most were caused by the swallowing of non-food objects. The agency estimates that for every death, there are more than 100 trips to the emergency department for choking episodes.

Toys are among the most common products recalled due to choking hazards. There have been several large recalls recently, including:

• Button-eyed stuffed toys by Old Navy (Canada) Inc. On Feb. 20, 2009, 41,000 dolls were ordered off store shelves after tests conducted by Health Canada found that the hard button eyes could come off the toys, posing a choking hazard for small children. No injuries were reported.
• Stuffed Animal House RCMP Uniform line. On Jan. 5, 2009, 274,199 RCMP-themed toys were recalled when it was found that the rivets on the red jacket could detach from the jackets, posing a choking hazard to young children. No injuries were reported.
• Lazy Baby Soft Doll by Kid Connection. On Jan. 26, 2009, 207,469 dolls were recalled after Health Canada tests revealed that the plastic tabs that hold the cap, or similar head-wear, onto the doll's head could easily detach from the toy. Again, there were no reports of injuries.
• It's My Binky's Personalized Pacifiers. On July 22, 2008, Health Canada and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recalled 115,000 pacifiers after tests revealed the pacifier button, ring handle, and shield with nipple could separate, creating a choking danger. There were two incidents in which the parts separated, but there were no injuries.

Other products that pose a major risk to children are blinds. Recent recalls of those products include:

• Roman Shades and Roll-up Blinds. On Jan. 14, 2009, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recalled 692,400 blinds because the looped pull cords and exposed lifting loops on roman shades and roll-up blinds presented a strangulation hazard to young children. No incidents were reported.
• Iris, Alvine Roman Blinds. On Nov. 20, 2008, 200,000 roman blinds were recalled after a one-year-old was strangled after becoming caught in the inner cord of the blinds.