Candlelite and Mandalay cribs
CPSC Recall #84-013 - February 1, 1984
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 84-013 |
| Recall Date | February 1, 1984 |
| Remedy Type | Repair |
| Units Affected | Approximately 7,400 |
| Manufacturer | Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc., of Bassett, Virginia |
Product
Candlelite and Mandalay cribs
Description
Washington, D.C. -- A crib that has been the subject of an intensive recall effort since 1978 was involved in two additional strangulation deaths in the past year. In August 1983, a thirteen-month-old girl in the Sacramento, California, area, died from allegedly becoming entrapped in the headboard cutout pattern of a Candlelite Crib manufactured by Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc. In January, 1983, a fifteen-month-old Kansas City, Missouri, area boy died when his head and neck allegedly became entrapped in the Candlelite headboard. The recalled cribs are: Candlelite (Pine Finish Model 5127, and Maple Finish Model 5028) and Mandalay (Yellow Finish Model 5126 or 5621, and White Finish Model 5225). The affected model numbers may be found ink-stamped near the bottom of the inside of the headboard. The Candlelite crib, along with another model known as tie Mandalay, were the targets of an extensive recall effort by Bassett and the Consumer Product Safety Commission from 1978 through 1980 after seven infants died of strangulation allegedly as a result of the headboard design. The cribs were made between 1974 and 1977, and about 7,400 of the cribs were sold; yet they have been associated, to date, with nine known deaths – five with Candlelite and four with Mandalay. As a result of the two most recent tragedies, Bassett is presently voluntarily sending another warning poster to 42,000 pediatricians across the country for display in their waiting rooms. The Commission notes that pediatrician posters are extremely effective in warning the consumers of children's hazards. The two deaths in 1983 follow three years of no reported entrapment incidents. It is suspected that after the wave of publicity of the 1980 recall receded, a second generation of cribs not reached by the recall have been removed from attic storage and handed down or sold second-hand. Owners of the recalled cribs, are urged to unscrew the four corner posts immediately. Taking off the corner posts alone may not eliminate the hazard. Consumers must also contact Bassett Consumer Affairs at (540) 629-6000 for a free modification kit. If a consumer is unsure whether his crib is a Candlelite or Mandalay, he should contact the company for clarification without delay. Further information may also be obtained by calling the CPSC toll-free Hotline at 800-638-CPSC. A teletypewriter number for the hearing impaired is 800-639-8270.
Hazard
A crib that has been the subject of an intensive recall effort since 1978 was involved in two additional strangulation deaths in the past year. A thirteen-month-old girl in the Sacramento, California, area, died from allegedly becoming entrapped in the headboard cutout pattern of a Candlelite Crib manufactured by Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc. In January, 1983, a fifteen-month-old Kansas City, Missouri, area boy died when his head and neck allegedly became entrapped in the Candlelite headboard.
Incidents & Injuries
The cribs have been associated, to date, with nine known deaths – five with Candlelite and four with Mandalay.
Remedy Instructions
Owners of the recalled cribs are urged to unscrew the four corner posts immediately. Taking off the corner posts alone may not eliminate the hazard. Consumers must also contact Bassett Consumer Affairs at (540) 629-6000 for a free modification kit.
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.