Wooden bunk beds
CPSC Recall #95-118 — May 8, 1995
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 95-118 |
| Recall Date | May 8, 1995 |
| Remedy Type | Dispose, Replace, No Remedy Available |
| Units Affected | More than 320,000 |
Product
Wooden bunk beds
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - CPSC and 11 bunk bed manufacturers jointly announced today a recall program for more than 320,000 wooden bunk beds. The bunk beds have openings on the top bunk which may present a potential entrapment hazard to young children. The spaces can be large enough for a child's body to pass through, but small enough to entrap the child's head. This recall program is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury and death. From 1990 through 1994, CPSC received reports of 24 children who died from becoming caught in bunk beds with similar spaces in the top bunk. Nineteen of those children were ages two and under, and four were three years of age. Neither CPSC nor the manufacturers are aware of any injuries or deaths associated with the products listed below. The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) voluntary standard for bunk beds requires that, in addition to having guardrails on both sides of the top bunk, any spaces between the guardrail and bed frame, and in the head and foot boards on the top bunk, be less than 3.5 inches. Bunk beds currently made by the companies listed below now meet the spacing requirement of the voluntary standard. The companies are also placing permanent labels on their beds to warn that children under the age of six be prohibited from the upper bunk. CPSC and the manufacturers continue to urge parents and caregivers not to put children under the age of six on the top bunk. The recalled beds were sold nationwide through furniture and specialty stores. The manufacturers and importers listed below are participating in this recall to improve the safety of these beds and to meet the requirements of the voluntary standard. Consumers should stop using the recalled beds immediately and call the company or contact the retailer for a replacement guardrail, retrofit kit, or instructions that will eliminate the potential entrapment hazard. If this cannot be done (for example, firm out of business), the product should be destroyed or discarded. If consumers are not sure of the bunk bed manufacturer or have any questions about this recall, they should call CPSC's Hotline at (800) 638-2772. Company Model #s Dates Distributed Locations Description of Beds Backwoods Design Priest River, ID OUT OF BUSINESS GII, GIIC Oct. 1994-Nov. 1994 WA, OR Company logo with name burned into guardrail of bed Brill Furniture Ludington, MI (231) 843-2430 648 880 2048 1994 1991-1994 1990-1994 Central and Eastern U.S. Manufacturers name is stamped on the inside rail on the top, head end of the bed Dover Furniture Arley, AL (800) 433-3485 501 550 1992 - 1994 Nationwide Contact retailer to identify manufacturer Fine Pine Vinemont, AL (256) 734-7588 1010, 1020, 1060, 1100, 1130 1990 - 1994 Nationwide Contact retailer to identify manufacturer H&H Furniture Seagrove, NC (800) 543-9808 5000 Series 1981 - 1994 MI, NJ, PA, MD, NY, OK, FL, WV, OH, KS, VA, MA, NM, TX, NC, NH, NE, CT, NH, NE, CT, TN, ME CASUAL CRATES COLLECTION BUNK BEDS - ladder permanently built onto the bunk ends; ladder upright and steps are constructed of 1.5 inch by 1.5 inch square pine lumber fastened with hex head lag. Bed ends are constructed of 3.5 inch pine boards. Houston Wood Arley, AL (205) 221-0584 Stackable 1988 - 1992 Contact retailer to identify manufacturer Lexington Furniture Industries Lexington, NC (336) 474-5300 194-187c 224-187c 730-187c 950-187c Early 1980's - 1993 Nationwide Wooden bunk beds included as part of a larger furniture arrangement MAFCO, Inc. Houston, TX OUT OF BUSINESS T/18 T/19 T/28 Jan 1994.Nov. 1994 Distributed out of TX "Hecho en Mexico" stamped on inside of wood rails or underneath headboard Sumter Cabinet Co. Sumter, SC (803) 778-5444 1880 1992 - 1994 Nationwide Solid oak Double Decker 3/3 bed with light brown finish Tech Designs Bridgeport, CT (203) 336-2801 200 Loft Early 1980's - 1988 Contact retailer to identify manufacturer Woodcrest Sales Peru, IN (800) 878-4948 2602, WW2000, PB300, PB400, BK1000, BK2000 1983 - 1994 Nationwide 2602 - 2x6 bunk bed ladder that converts to twin beds; built-in ladder WW2000 - Wagon Wheel bunk bed with spindle spokes; attached ladder PB300 - 3" poster bunk bed with 3" spindles on arched frame; attached ladder PB400 - 4" poster bunk bed with 3" spindles on sculptured frame; attached ladder BK2000 - 10" bookcase bunk bed with hour glass vertical boards on scalloped frame; attached ladder BK1000 - 8" bookcase bunk bed; attached ladder
Hazard
The bunk beds have openings on the top bunk which may present a potential entrapment hazard to young children. The spaces can be large enough for a child's body to pass through, but small enough to entrap the child's head. This recall program is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury and death.
Incidents & Injuries
From 1990 through 1994, CPSC received reports of 24 children who died from becoming caught in bunk beds with similar spaces in the top bunk. Nineteen of those children were ages two and under, and four were three years of age. Neither CPSC nor the manufacturers are aware of any injuries or deaths associated with the products listed here.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should stop using the recalled beds immediately and call the company or contact the retailer for a replacement guardrail, retrofit kit, or instructions that will eliminate the potential entrapment hazard. If this cannot be done (for example, firm out of business), the product should be destroyed or discarded.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Dispose, Replace, 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, Replace, 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.