Baby Trend and Baby Express "Home and Roam" portable mesh-sided playpen
CPSC Recall #93-111 - October 7, 1993
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 93-111 |
| Recall Date | October 7, 1993 |
| Remedy Type | Inspect |
| Units Affected | Approximately 65,000 |
Product
Baby Trend and Baby Express "Home and Roam" portable mesh-sided playpen
Description
PRODUCT: Baby Trend and Baby Express "Home and Roam" portable mesh-sided playpens in two sizes, 40" x 40" and 28" x 40". PROBLEM: The playpen may appear to be set up properly, if the top rails are not securely locked. If the playpen is not set up so that each top rail is securely locked in position, the top rails may collapse with an infant in the playpen. If the infant is holding onto a top rail when it collapses, he or she may be caught by the neck and strangle. WHAT TO DO: Make sure each of the four top rails is fully locked before using the product and call Baby Trend immediately at 1-800-234-1879. Baby Trend will provide corrective action AND a free gift valued at $5.00 for each playpen owned. WASHINGTON, DC -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Baby Trend, Inc., Pomona, CA is issuing an urgent warning to owners of Baby Trend and Baby Express "Home and Roam" playpens. There have been four reports that these products have collapsed with infants inside the playpens. One incident resulted in the death of a one-year-old child. In two of the incidents the child was found not breathing but was revived. Baby Trend sold approximately 65,000 Home and Roam playpens nationwide during 1992 and 1993. Some additional Home and Roam playpens were sold under the Baby Express label. The playpens come in two sizes and a variety of colors and fabrics. The larger one is 40" x 40" and the smaller one is 40" x 28". The words "Home and Roam" and "Baby Trend;" or "Home and Roam" and "Baby Express" and appear on two of the four top rails. Retail prices range from $68 to $130. All of the playpens are set up by rotating a pivoting hinge in the center of each top rail. To lock the rails in place, the pivoting hinge must be rotated a full 180 degrees from the collapsed position. Because the hinges are under the protective fabric covering the top rails, consumers may rely on their sense of touch to determine if each hinge has been rotated completely. It is possible to rotate the hinge less than 180 degrees but have the top rail look and feel locked. If the pivoting hinge has been turned less than 180 degrees, IT IS NOT LOCKED and the top rail can collapse. If a baby is holding onto the top rail when it collapses, he or she can be caught by the neck and strangle. Consumers should check to make sure the top rail hinges are fully engaged before each use. Consumers who own Baby Trend "Home and Roam" playpens should call toll free at 1-800-328-7363 so the company can provide them with a remedy and a free gift valued at $5.00. When calling, please provide model and lot numbers located on the playpen's foot. EDITOR'S NOTE: Product samples for media use are available upon request.
Hazard
It is possible to rotate the hinge less than 180 degrees but have the top rail look and feel locked. If the pivoting hinge has been turned less than 180 degrees, IT IS NOT LOCKED and the top rail can collapse. If a baby is holding onto the top rail when it collapses, he or she can be caught by the neck and strangle.
Incidents & Injuries
There have been four reports that these products have collapsed with infants inside the playpens. One incident resulted in the death of a one-year-old child. In two of the incidents the child was found not breathing but was revived.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should check to make sure the top rail hinges are fully engaged before each use. Consumers who own Baby Trend "Home and Roam" playpens should call toll free at 1-800-328-7363 so the company can provide them with a remedy and a free gift valued at $5.00.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Inspect 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 (Inspect) 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.