Cosco "Zip n Go," "Okie Dokie," and "Carters" playpens
CPSC Recall #02-008 — October 9, 2001
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 02-008 |
| Recall Date | October 9, 2001 |
| Remedy Type | Refund, Replace |
| Units Affected | About 102,000 |
| Manufacturer | Cosco Inc., of Columbus, IN |
| Manufactured In | China |
Where It Was Sold
| Department |
| Toy and juvenile specialty stores nationwide sold the "Zip n Go" and "Carters" playpens. JC Penney stores nationwide sold the "Okie Dokie" brand playpens exclusively. The playpens were sold from May 1995 through December 1999 for between $40 and $70. |
Product
Cosco "Zip n Go," "Okie Dokie," and "Carters" playpens
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Dorel Juvenile Group, of Columbus, Ind., is voluntarily recalling about 102,000 Cosco "Zip n Go," "Okie Dokie," and "Carters" playpens manufactured between May 1995 and December 1997. The plastic tabs on the playpen that lock the rails into the corners can break or loosen over time, allowing the rails to turn inward, collapse and entrap an infant.In June 2001, an 11-month-old baby in Elyria, Ohio, died when his chest was caught in the V-shape created by the collapsed sides of his playpen. Dorel Juvenile Group has received 421 reports of rails not locking or collapsing.The recalled playpens were sold under the "Zip n Go," "Okie Dokie," and "Carters" brand names and were manufactured by Cosco. Only model numbers 05-361, 05-362, 05-363, and 05-364 are included in this recall. The model numbers are located on a label on the bottom of the playpen, on the metal tubular frame near one of the corners. The label reads in part, "MANUFACTURED IN CHINA FOR COSCO INC." The 28-inch by 40-inch playpens have four mesh sides on a folding metal frame. The side rails have the name "Zip n Go, " "Okie Dokie," or "Carters" written on them. The padded floorboard forms a carrying case for the playpen.Department, Toy and juvenile specialty stores nationwide sold the "Zip n Go" and "Carters" playpens. JC Penney stores nationwide sold the "Okie Dokie" brand playpens exclusively. The playpens were sold from May 1995 through December 1999 for between $40 and $70.Consumers should stop using these playpens immediately and call Dorel Juvenile Group to receive a refund or replacement product. Consumers can contact Dorel at (800) 314-9327 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's website at www.djgusa.com.
Hazard
The plastic tabs on the playpen that lock the rails into the corners can break or loosen over time, allowing the rails to turn inward, collapse and entrap an infant.
Incidents & Injuries
In June 2001, an 11-month-old baby in Elyria, Ohio, died when his chest was caught in the V-shape created by the collapsed sides of his playpen. Dorel Juvenile Group has received 421 reports of rails not locking or collapsing.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should stop using these playpens immediately and call Dorel Juvenile Group to receive a refund or replacement product. Consumers can contact Dorel at (800) 314-9327 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Refund, Replace 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 (Refund, Replace) 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.