Tubular metal twin-size/full-size ("Slumberama") and twin-size/twin-size ("Double Decker") childr...
CPSC Recall #94-054 — April 5, 1994
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 94-054 |
| Recall Date | April 5, 1994 |
| Remedy Type | Repair |
| Units Affected | Approximately 4,800 |
Product
Tubular metal twin-size/full-size ("Slumberama") and twin-size/twin-size ("Double Decker") children's bunk beds
Description
PRODUCT: Approximately 4,800 Fashion Bed Group (previously known as Berkshire Furniture Company) high gloss, tubular metal frame, twin-size/full-size ("Slumberama") and twin-size/twin-size ("Double Decker") children's bunk beds, imported between January and May 1991 and sold in specialty retail stores nationwide.PROBLEM: The bunk beds may collapse during use. Bed occupants may be injured by the falling upper bunk.WHAT TO DO: Stop using the beds immediately. To determine if you have a Fashion Bed Group bed, contact the retailer. Consumers with affected Fashion Bed Group beds should call the company toll-free at 1-800-825-5233 for a free retrofit kit to reinforce the bed.WASHINGTON, DC - CPSC, Fashion Bed Group (previously known as Berkshire Furniture Company), Chicago, IL, is voluntarily providing reinforcement brackets for certain children's tubular metal frame bunk beds. The upper level bunk can fall causing the bed to collapse. Collapse of the upper bunk could result in injury to an occupant on the bed.Fashion Bed Group has received approximately 18 reports alleging metal failures and collapse, including three reports of injury. Approximately 4,800 affected bunk beds were imported between January and May 1991 and sold in specialty retail stores nationwide. The beds sold for approximately $179 to $299 each.The affected beds include the twin/full model "Slumberama," and the twin/twin model "Double Decker." The beds have metal frames made of hollow painted tubes. The glossy painted frames are either red, blue, white or black.Consumers should immediately stop using the affected beds. To determine if you have a Fashion Bed Group bed, contact the retailer. Consumers with affected Fashion Bed Group beds should call the company toll-free at 1-800-825-5233 to obtain a free retrofit kit that will reinforce the bed when assembled on the upper and lower corner joints.CPSC is investigating numerous other importers and manufacturers of metal bunk beds that may present a similar risk of collapsing. To date, firms have received over 400 complaints of defective bunk beds industry-wide. CPSC urges consumers to inspect all eight mattress support corners of all metal bunk beds for breaks or cracks in the paint and metal around the weld. Consumers should stop using damaged bunkbeds and contact the retailer, manufacturer, or importer. To assist CPSC in its continuing bunk bed investigations, consumers are urged to call the CPSC toll-free hotline weekdays at 1-800-638-2772 to report incidents or injuries involving metal bunk beds. A tele-typewriter for the hearing impaired is available at (800) 638-8270.
Hazard
The bunk beds may collapse during use. Bed occupants may be injured by the falling upper bunk.
Incidents & Injuries
Fashion Bed Group has received approximately 18 reports alleging metal failures and collapse, including three reports of injury.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should immediately stop using the affected beds. To determine if you have a Fashion Bed Group bed, contact the retailer. Consumers with affected Fashion Bed Group beds should call the company toll-free at 1-800-825-5233 to obtain a free retrofit kit that will reinforce the bed when assembled on the upper and lower corner joints.
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.
Furniture tip-overs are a leading cause of pediatric injuries in the U.S., particularly dressers, bookcases, and television stands. CPSC data shows that a child dies approximately every two weeks from a furniture or TV tip-over. Unstable high chairs, baby swings, and bouncers are also frequent recall subjects due to fall risks. ASTM International standards now require that certain furniture must meet tip-over resistance standards, and CPSC has been actively pursuing mandatory requirements for dressers and chests. If you have furniture that was not recalled but feels unstable, wall-anchoring kits are widely available at hardware stores.
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.