Giving Away a Drop-side Crib

Drop sides are no longer made. Please throw out the crib. ALL drops-side cribs have been recalled for safety reasons.

I've posted the link here before regarding these cribs I think, not positive.
But these cribs have been banned, the recall phase lasted for just a short time. The Consumer Products Safety Commission voted this into effect December 15, 2010. You can't resale it, you can't donate it, nothing. It is essentially trash at this point.
I know it sucks, but that is the deal.

I just wanted to note that it is a real shame that these have been completely banned. We no longer have little ones...our youngest is 10 yrs now. But the crib we had for them had a drop-side option. You could also make a small adjustment (using a screwdriver and additional parts supplied by the manufacturer that came with the crib) to make it a non-drop side crib. Surely the one we had is not the only one that had this option... What a waste to have to toss something that really is not risk at all. :(

I gave away an older drop side crib than that. I gave it to a nurse who does foster care for "at risk" infants. She was fully educated about all of the recalls and new requirements. She told me that she could purchase some hardware kit to make the drops sides "fixed" and then it would pass code. Tell the girl to check into this "kit". The women who took my crib was very educated on the matter as she had to be because only certain certified medical people were allowed to foster these very young babies - many had medical issue due to moms drug use :(

I just wouldn't do it personally. I realize that you used it with no problems, but I wouldn't be able to live with myself if something happened to her baby. From a legal liability standpoint, are you certain that she couldn't come back at you later for giving her a recalled item. This isn't a friend you know...this is an aquaintance. People can sue for ANYTHING. Do you really want to have to spend a bunch of money defending yourself should the unthinkable happen?

I would not give it away after reading some of these posts. The cribs that caused the deaths were cheaply made (in China) drop side cribs. I'm sure in 5 years the new models these companies mass produce will have a different issue. The government should realize poorly made furniture is the real issue. I have a very well made Italian drop side crib made around 2005.

I have found some creative ideas in pinterest. Someone turn the crib into a desk and they put a chalkboard over the area where the mattress would go. I think this is a great way to repurpose a piece of furniture that has been deemed unsafe. Hopefully the US government will allow this.
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/turn-an-old-crib-into-a-w...

I gave away my drop-side crib to a friend who is using it with the rail off as a toddler bed (it was convertible). As long as you inform the new owner, shouldn't be any legal problems with it. I just know that I couldn't donate it or sell it.

If you send her the link to it and she fully understands that they are banned for resale or donation. If she wants it knowing all of that then I say its buyer beware.

Im glad they are making cribs safer for babies... but its also a shame throwing very good cribs in the landfills when they could be reused. It needs to be a personal choice between the two of you on what you both want to do knowing the risks they have now put out there about drop side cribs.

I know if I was having a baby I would still take a drop side crib. Its terrible, sad and very unfortunate what has happened to some families with drop side cribs but I would still use it knowing this if the crib came from someone I knew and trusted.

I think the problem that was happening with the drop side was the parts on the legs that held the side were made of plastic and broke easily. The ones made of metal cannot break. Call Land of Nod and see what they think.

Actually I think ALL drop side cribs are now outlawed in the US.

I've been holding on to mine for years too and now not sure what I'm going to do with it. *Although I've seen some darling ideas for repurposing it on Pinterest!

Please look again at Keri's post. ALL drop side cribs are considered unsafe. There is not necessarily a specific recall for your particular brand of crib. You should not give it away or sell it unless you have gotten the manufacturer's kit to turn it into a fixed-side crib. Giving it away or selling it as a drop-side crib would be irresponsible, to be frank. Just sending her a web link doesn't do the job. I would actually just tell her that for safety's sake she should purchase a new crib that meets current safety standards; she probably wants to save money but a child's safety doesn't have a price tag on it. The money she saves by taking other baby items she can put toward a new, safe crib. Just becuase you "never had a problem with this crib" does not mean it is safe; it means you were fortunate.

You can email the company and they will send you the kit to convert it into a fixed side crib. It will then be perfectly fine to give away. They should send it to you for free. I did the same thing with my 2005 model Pottery Barn Crib. Land of Nod is Crate & Barrel - a responsible company.

The manufacturer will give you the parts you need to fix it for free. You might have to pay shipping, but that's all. It's just a couple metal pieces.

It doesn't matter if she wants it anyway... There have been deaths.... Those cribs have been deemed unsafe and potentially fatal. Even if the mother is willing to take a chance with her baby's safety and life, you should not be willing to do so. I hope you disassemble it/break it so that it can't be used and put it in the trash where it belongs.

I would make sure and tell her to put some screws in it at the joints so that it would not come apart. That way there is no chance of the baby getting caught in the crack and suffocating. We did that with our drop side, all 4 joining places on the rail part and then again where the sides join the headboard and foot board. They become permanently fixed and do not slide or come apart.

If CPS has knowledge that a parent is usung a dropside crib they can take the child without warning and keep the child in foster care until the parents purchase a new crib. (at least that is what I was told) I would contact the company to see if the crib can be fixed so it is no longer a dropside.

http://www.cpsc.gov/onsafety/tag/drop-side/

Is it okay for me as a consumer to resell, donate or give away a crib that does not meet the new crib standards?
A consumer should not resell, donate or give away a crib that does not meet the new crib standards, such as trying to resell the product through an online auction site or donating to a local thrift store. CPSC recommends disassembling the crib before discarding it.
Is this new regulation simply a ban on all drop-side rail cribs?
No, these are sweeping new safety rules that will bring a safer generation of cribs to the marketplace in 2011. CPSC’s new crib standards address many factors related to crib safety in addition to the drop-side rail. A crib’s mattress support, slats, and hardware are now required to be more durable and manufacturers will have to test to the new more stringent requirements to prove compliance.

Are all drop-side rail cribs “recalled” because of the new regulation?
There has not been a specific “recall” of all drop-side cribs due to the new regulation. Instead, some manufacturers recently have recalled their cribs in cooperation with the CPSC because a specific defect or risk of harm has been discovered relating to a particular crib. Although these recalls are separate from CPSC’s new crib standards, traditional drop-side cribs will not meet the new crib standards that became effective on June 28, 2011, and cribs with traditional drop-sides cannot be sold after that date.

If it were me (and I'm about to be in that same boat with a non-drop side crib from 9/10) I would throw it away - after taking it apart. The liability just wouldn't be worth it to me.

ETA: From the above website: Note that a drop side crib, even with an immobilizer installed, will not meet the new CPSC crib standards.

I'd check with the company and see what they say about your specific crib. Can it be fixed with a hardware kit? If it is convertible one maybe it is safe as a toddler bed or bed?

If I had a new baby now I would start again with a new crib. But my 2 are a old enough we used a drop side crib before the laws changed. My last one was over a year when the law changed and we kept the old crib but never pulled the side up and down.

I would probably suggest to the person who wants the crib that cribs and car seats are important to have be safe and she should get those new. Most other baby gear and clothes are fine used.

It's illegal. Call the company and give them the crib model number. You can purchase a cheap kit that fixes the drop side wall. Once you have it up to safety standards, it can then be given away or sold.