Zippered bean bag chairs

CPSC Recall #95-093 — March 15, 1995

Recall Summary

Recall Number95-093
Recall DateMarch 15, 1995
Remedy TypeRepair

Where It Was Sold

These manufacturers' bean bag chairs have been sold nationwide in retail stores including Caldor
F.W. Woolworth
Harts Stores
J.C. Penney
Kmart
Montgomery Ward
Rich's
Sears Roebuck and Co.
Toys 'R' Us
and Walmart.

Product

Zippered bean bag chairs

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - As part of its ongoing investigation of deaths and injuries associated with zippered bean bag chairs, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced today a major cooperative repair program for at least 10 million zippered bean bag chairs. CPSC is aware of 5 deaths and at least 27 other incidents in which children and toddlers have inhaled or ingested the bean bag filling. In some cases, the children unzipped the bean bag cover, crawled inside, and suffocated from inhaling the small pellets of foam filling. In other cases, children choked while playing while escaping, adhering pellets which clogged their mouths and noses. CPSC Chairman Ann Brown said, "I am glad these companies have chosen to work voluntarily with CPSC to avoid risks to children." The following companies are participating in this voluntary corrective action program: COMPANY DISTRIBUTION DATES Ace Bayou Corp. New Orleans, La. (800) 782-2770 1992 through 1994 Ace Novelty Bellvue, Wash. (800) 325-7888 1990 through 1994 American Bean Bag Co. Corona, Calif. (800) 338-8667 1990 through 1994 American Home Furnishings Corp. Ft. Wayne, Ind. (800) 860-2432 1992 through 1994 Colortex USA Ft. Smith, Ark. (800) 681-1308 1993 through 1994 Gold Medal Richmond, Va. (800) 986-1010 1986 through 1994 Jordan Manuf. Co. Monticello, Ind. (800) 328-6522 1989 through 1993 Mr. Bean Bag Garland, Texas (800) 525-7707 1971 through 1994 Now Products Chicago, Ill. (800) 669-5520 1987 through 1994 These manufacturers' bean bag chairs have been sold nationwide in retail stores including Caldor, F.W. Woolworth, Harts Stores, J.C. Penney, Kmart, Montgomery Ward, Rich's, Sears Roebuck and Co., Toys 'R' Us, and Walmart. Consumers should stop using any manufacturer's bean bag chairs with zippers that freely open and take them away from children IMMEDIATELY. Consumers should check the bean bag chairs for a label identifying the manufacturer and call the company's 800 number listed above to receive instructions for repairing bean bag chairs to prevent them from opening. CPSC states that consumers should be aware that bean bag chairs manufactured with a small, T-shaped plastic tab attached to the zipper head are in need of repair. Consumers who are not sure whether their bean bag chairs are included in this repair program should call CPSC's toll-free hotline at (800) 638-2772 for assistance. CPSC is continuing to investigate other manufacturers of zippered bean bag chairs that may have distributed similar products.

Hazard

CPSC is aware of 5 deaths and at least 27 other incidents in which children and toddlers have inhaled or ingested the bean bag filling.

Incidents & Injuries

CPSC is aware of 5 deaths and at least 27 other incidents in which children and toddlers have inhaled or ingested the bean bag filling. In some cases, the children unzipped the bean bag cover, crawled inside, and suffocated from inhaling the small pellets of foam filling. In other cases, children choked while playing while escaping, adhering pellets which clogged their mouths and noses.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should stop using any manufacturer's bean bag chairs with zippers that freely open and take them away from children IMMEDIATELY. Consumers should check the bean bag chairs for a label identifying the manufacturer and call the company's 800 number listed above to receive instructions for repairing bean bag chairs to prevent them from opening.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Repair 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 (Repair) 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.