Play yards/playpens with protruding rivets
CPSC Recall #99-026 - November 24, 1999
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 99-026 |
| Recall Date | November 24, 1999 |
| Remedy Type | Dispose, Refund, Repair, No Remedy Available |
Product
Play yards/playpens with protruding rivets
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced today the voluntary recall of more than 9.6 million play yards/playpens with protruding rivets because they pose a strangulation risk. The playpens being recalled carry the brand names Bilt-Rite, Evenflo, Gerry, Graco, Kolcraft, Playskool, Pride-Trimble and Strolee. Toddlers can strangle in these playpens if pacifier strings or loose (or loosely woven) clothing catches on the playpens' protruding rivets.Since 1983, CPSC has received eight reports of toddlers who strangled in their playpens when pacifier strings or clothing they were wearing caught on the playpens' protruding rivets.Consumers should check the outside top rails of their playpens for protruding metal rivets. The rivets are similar to nut and bolt fasteners, but the rivets cannot be removed. The rivets protrude about one-quarter to one-half inch from the outside top rails of the playpens. The shape of each playpen's rivets vary, so check the unit carefully.If protruding rivets are found, consumers should stop using the playpens immediately. Five companies are offering remedies; consumers can call the following numbers to get the remedy being offered for these recalled playpens: - Graco and Bilt-Rite play yards: (800) 345-4109- Evenflo play yards: (800) 490-7549- Gerry play yards: (888) 366-3828- Kolcraft play yards: (800) 453-7673Consumers with Pride Trimble Corp. play yards, Pride-Trimble Inc. play yards and Strolee play yards should destroy or discard these products. No remedy is available as these three companies are out of business.CPSC reminds parents and caregivers that a pacifier should never be hung from a string around a child's neck.The Bilt-Rite, Gerry, Graco, Kolcraft, Playskool, Pride-Trimble and Strolee playpens are drop-sided, mesh playpens that fold in half for storage.Evenflo's Houdini playpen is a portable, mesh playpen that folds up for storage and travel. All Houdinis manufactured between 1994 and 1996 are subject to this recall even if they have plastic covers over the rivets. The rivet covers on these playpens must be replaced because they are defective and can crack, break or come off exposing the rivet and presenting a risk of strangulation.The following table identifies playpens with protruding rivets that are being recalled. Companies Participating in Recalls of Playpens with Protruding Rivets(Playpens without protruding rivets are not part of this recall)Manufacturer/RemedyBrand Names/DescriptionHow toIdentifyEstimated QuantityMade/Cost*IncidentsGraco Children'sProducts Inc.Elverson, Pa.$20 refund withproof of destructionGracoDrop-sided, meshplaypen that foldsin half for storage"Graco" is written onfloorboard or side rail2 million madefrom 1976through 11/90Cost $35 to $55Five deathsBilt-RiteOrangeburg, N.Y.$20 refund withproof of destructionBilt-RiteDrop-sided, meshplaypen that foldsin half for storage"Bilt-Rite" is writtenon floorboardMore than409,000 madethrough 1989Cost $35 to $55One deathKolcraft EnterprisesInc.Chicago, Ill.Repair kitKolcraft or PlayskoolDrop-sided, meshplaypen that foldsin half for storage"Kolcraft" or "Playskool"is written on floorboardor side rail2.6 million madefrom 1/86through 5/98Cost $40 to $70One deathPride-Trimble Corp.Burbank, Calif.Gardena, Calif.Southern Pines, N.C.Out of BusinessDestroyPride-TrimbleDrop-sided, meshplaypen that foldsin half for storage"Pride-Trimble Corp."is written on floorboardMore than 4 millionmade from 1960through 9/91Cost $35 to $55None knownPride-Trimble Inc.Weber City, Va.Out of BusinessDestroyPride-TrimbleDrop-sided, meshplaypen that foldsin half for storage"Pride-Trimble Inc."is written on floorboard100,000 made from10/91 through 1993Cost $35 to $55None knownEvenflo Co. Inc.Piqua, OhioRepair kitHoudiniPortable, meshplaypen that foldsup for storageand travel"Evenflo" is written onplastic hinge coversAll units made from1994 through 1996are recalled205,000 made from1994 through 1996Cost $45None knownHufco-DelawareDayton, OhioRepair kitGerryDrop-sided, meshplaypen that foldsin half for storage"Gerry" is writtenon floorboard100,000 made from1986 through 1992Cost $35 to $45None knownStrolee Co.Compton, Calif.Out of BusinessDestroyStroleeDrop-sided, meshplaypen that foldsin half for storage"Strolee" is writtenon side rail200,000 madethrough 1983Cost $35 to $55None known Immediately stop using these playpens and call (800) 345-4109 for information about participating in any of these playpen recalls*CPSC is aware of one toddler death from a playpen whose manufacturer is unknown.Consumers should immediately stop using these playpens and call the manufacturers at the numbers given above (except for the three companies out of business) to participate in the recall. If you have a playpen made by one of the companies out of business, the playpen should be discarded or destroyed. If consumers have a playpen with protruding rivets made by a company not participating in the recall, they should stop using it immediately and report this information to CPSC's Hotline at (800) 638-2772.Once again, CPSC reminds parents and caregivers that a pacifier should never be hung from a string around a child's neck.There are many different models of playpens without protruding rivets. Playpens without protruding rivets are not part of this recall.
Hazard
Toddlers can strangle in these playpens if pacifier strings or loose (or loosely woven) clothing catches on the playpens' protruding rivets.
Incidents & Injuries
Since 1983, CPSC has received eight reports of toddlers who strangled in their playpens when pacifier strings or clothing they were wearing caught on the playpens' protruding rivets.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should immediately stop using these playpens and call the manufacturers at the numbers given above (except for the three companies out of business) to participate in the recall.Consumers with Pride Trimble Corp. play yards, Pride-Trimble Inc. play yards and Strolee play yards should destroy or discard these products. No remedy is available as these three companies are out of business.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Dispose, Refund, Repair, No Remedy Available 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 (Dispose, Refund, Repair, No Remedy Available) 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.