Banning Drop-side Cribs in Canada

Author: Health Canada
Published: 2010/09/29 - Updated: 2025/02/04
Publication Type: Announcement
Category Topic: Recalls, Warnings and Advisories - Academic Publications

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main

Synopsis: This report, published by Health Canada, discusses the government's initiative to enhance infant safety by proposing a ban on traditional drop-side cribs. The report highlights that the hardware of these cribs can malfunction, leading to detachment of the drop-side and creating hazardous gaps where infants may become entrapped, posing risks of strangulation and suffocation. It notes that, over a decade, approximately 90 incidents involving drop-side cribs were reported in Canada. The proposed prohibition would extend to various sales channels, including traditional retailers, second-hand stores, and online platforms. The report also advises parents and caregivers to regularly inspect cribs for loose or missing parts, avoid using damaged cribs, and ensure proper assembly according to manufacturer instructions - Disabled World (DW).

Defining Drop Side Crib

Drop Side Crib

A drop-side rail crib, as the name suggests, is a crib with hardware that enables one side of the crib to lower down. Some of these crib designs have two mobile sides instead of just one. Drop-side baby cribs were designed so that one of the sides slides down to allow a caretaker easy access to the baby. Although the sliding side was intended to help reach the baby, this popular crib design turned from convenient to dangerous. Recalls of the plan led to stronger safety regulations that ultimately banned the manufacture of drop-side cribs in 2011. Drop-side cribs now cannot be sold or donated.

Introduction

The Honorable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, announced that the Government is taking action to further protect the safety of infants and children by launching a public consultation process which could lead to a new prohibition against drop-side cribs.

Main Content

The Government is asking for feedback on proposed changes to the Cribs and Cradles Regulations of the Hazardous Products Act that would, most notably, prohibit the advertisement, sale, and importation in Canada of traditional drop-side cribs, as well as other cribs with sides that are not rigidly attached to the crib ends.

The crib hardware can break or fail, allowing the drop-side to detach from the crib. When the drop-side detaches, a hazardous gap is created between the drop-side and the crib mattress in which infants and toddlers can become wedged or entrapped, posing a risk of strangulation and suffocation.

Children can also fall from the crib when the drop-side detaches or fails to latch and lock in the manufacturer's recommended use position. Health Canada is aware of approximately 90 drop-side crib incidents in Canada in the last ten years.

"The safety of children's products, especially something as fundamental as a crib, is of the utmost importance to our government," said Minister Aglukkaq. "Our crib requirements are already among the strictest in the world, but in the past few years, we have worked with the industry to recall several models of drop-side cribs voluntarily. We believe an outright ban on the traditional style of drop-side cribs may be required to protect our children better."

In addition to this proposed prohibition, the proposal calls for an allowance for the uppermost portion of the crib side to fold, pivot, or move concerning the frame to provide easier access to the occupant.

If it becomes law, the proposed prohibition will apply to traditional retailers, second-hand stores, flea markets, and garage sales, as well as products sold on Web-based retail establishments, such as eBay, Craigslist, and Kijiji.

The Government is also asking for feedback on several other potential amendments to the Cribs and Cradles Regulations, including changes to performance requirements and test methods for crib accessories such as change tables. For complete details on proposed amendments, please see the consultation document posted on the Health Canada website. Interested parties are invited to submit comments by December 15, 2010.

There are several steps that parents and caregivers can take to help make sure their crib is safe:

For more information on safe sleeping practices for infants, visit Health Canada's Consumer Information - Safe Sleep Practices for Infants.

Attribution/Source(s): This quality-reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by Health Canada and published on 2010/09/29, this content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity.

Explore Similar Topics

• Mattress Sizes Chart for US, UK, EU, RV, Trucks: Mattress size measurement charts in both inches and centimeters for all popular mattress sizes for US, UK, EU, RV, and trucks with sleeper cabs.

• Toxic Furniture Flame Retardant Chemicals Found in Americans - A Guide to some of the chemicals that your mattress may be composed of including their health risks.

• Navigating the Insurance Maze to Secure a Safe Bed for Your Special-Needs Child - Article assists parents with special-needs children navigate the medical necessity and insurance maze when it comes to providing a safe bed for their child.

• Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and Unsafe Bedding - Nearly 55% of U.S. infants are placed to sleep with bedding that increases risk of sudden infant death syndrome or SIDS.

• : U.S. FDA restricts sale and distribution of Essure to protect women and to require that patients receive risk information.

• : United States FDA issues safety communication about illegal use of injectable silicone for body contouring and associated health risks.

• : FDA advises not to use any liquid drug or dietary supplement products manufactured by PharmaTech LLC of Davie, Florida, and labeled by Rugby Laboratories, Major Pharmaceuticals and Leader Brands, due to potential contamination.

▶ Share Page

Citing and References

- APA | MLA | Chicago | Permalink

APA: Health Canada. (2010, September 29 - Last revised: 2025, February 4). Banning Drop-side Cribs in Canada. Disabled World (DW). Retrieved November 20, 2025 from www.disabled-world.com/medical/recalls/cribs.php

MLA: Health Canada. "Banning Drop-side Cribs in Canada." Disabled World (DW), 29 Sep. 2010, revised 4 Feb. 2025. Web. 20 Nov. 2025. <www.disabled-world.com/medical/recalls/cribs.php>.

Chicago: Health Canada. "Banning Drop-side Cribs in Canada." Disabled World (DW). Last modified February 4, 2025. www.disabled-world.com/medical/recalls/cribs.php.

Permalink: <a href="https://www.disabled-world.com/medical/recalls/cribs.php">Banning Drop-side Cribs in Canada</a>: Health Canada launches public consultation on proposed ban on drop-side cribs.

While we strive to provide accurate, up-to-date information, our content is for general informational purposes only. Please consult qualified professionals for advice specific to your situation.