"Pack 'n Play" portable play yards with raised changing tables
CPSC Recall #03-189 — September 23, 2003
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 03-189 |
| Recall Date | September 23, 2003 |
| Remedy Type | Label |
| Units Affected | About 538,000 |
| Manufactured In | China |
Where It Was Sold
| Discount |
| department and juvenile product stores nationwide sold these portable play yards from October 2001 through September 2003 for between $99 and $119. |
Product
"Pack 'n Play" portable play yards with raised changing tables
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Graco Children's Products Inc., of Exton, Pa., is providing new instructions for about 538,000 "Pack 'n Play" portable play yards with raised changing tables. When children are placed in these portable play yards when the changing table is still in place, they can crawl under and lift the table up. If this occurs, a child's head and neck can become trapped between the changing table and the play yard rail, causing a strangulation hazard. The recall is designed to warn consumers of this hazard, and to provide warning labels to affix to the changing tables.The commission and Graco are aware of the death of a 13-month-old girl, who strangled when her neck became trapped between the Pack 'n Play rail and the raised changing table.Only "Pack 'n Play" portable play yards with raised changing tables are part of this recall. They also are sold with an infant bassinet. "GRACO" and "Pack 'n Play" are written on the side of the play yard. These play yards have model numbers 2016, 35235, or model numbers that begin with 9531 or 9533. The last three digits of the model number will vary. The model number can be found on a label on the white plastic center cone under the play yards. "MADE IN CHINA" also is written on the bottom label. Models 2016, 35235, 9531 and 9533 that are currently sold at retail and that have green stickers on the boxes, indicating that the unit has been modified, are not recalled.Discount, department and juvenile product stores nationwide sold these portable play yards from October 2001 through September 2003 for between $99 and $119.Consumers should never place a child in these portable play yards when the changing table is still in place. Consumers should immediately contact Graco to receive a free warning label to be affixed to the changing table. Consumers can contact Graco at (800) 233-1546 anytime, or visit the firm's website at www.gracobaby.com.
Hazard
When children are placed in these portable play yards when the changing table is still in place, they can crawl under and lift the table up. If this occurs, a child's head and neck can become trapped between the changing table and the play yard rail, causing a strangulation hazard. The recall is designed to warn consumers of this hazard, and to provide warning labels to affix to the changing tables.
Incidents & Injuries
The commission and Graco are aware of the death of a 13-month-old girl, who strangled when her neck became trapped between the Pack 'n Play rail and the raised changing table.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should never place a child in these portable play yards when the changing table is still in place. Consumers should immediately contact Graco to receive a free warning label to be affixed to the changing table.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Label at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly — either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Label) at no cost to you.
Yes. If you were injured by a defective consumer product — whether recalled or not — you may have grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer and potentially the retailer. A recall notice can serve as evidence that the manufacturer was aware of the defect. Injuries that may support a claim include burns, lacerations, fractures, electric shock, choking incidents, and chemical exposure. Most product liability attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless you win. Consult an attorney promptly, as statutes of limitation vary by state.
In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.
If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney — parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.