Children's tubular metal frame bunk beds
CPSC Recall #94-083 — June 1, 1994
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 94-083 |
| Recall Date | June 1, 1994 |
| Remedy Type | Dispose, No Remedy Available |
| Units Affected | Approximately 8,000 |
Product
Children's tubular metal frame bunk beds
Description
PRODUCT: Approximately 8,000 International Express Manufacturing (IEM) high gloss, tubular metal frame bunk beds distributed from June 1992 through December 1992 in retail stores nationwide. The models affected are: model 504 twin-size over full-size, model 508 twin-size/twin-size and model 510 twin/full futon bunk bed. IEM beds have a gold sticker on the head or footboard that say "IEM" and "International Express Mfg."PROBLEM: The bunk beds may collapse during use. Bed occupants may be injured by the falling upper bunk.WHAT TO DO: Look for a gold IEM sticker on the head/footboard or contact the retailer for information. Stop using affected beds immediately. Consumers with affected IEM beds should discard or destroy them. The firm is out of business and a remedy is no longer available.WASHINGTON, DC - CPSC, International Express Manufacturing (IEM), Commerce, California, is voluntarily offering a repair or replacement of certain children's tubular metal frame bunk beds. The upper level can fall causing the bunk bed to collapse. Collapse of the top bunk could result in injury to an occupant on the bed.IEM has been notified by the CPSC of 10 reports of beds breaking, including two reported injuries. Approximately 8,000 affected bunk beds were distributed from June 1992 through December 1992 in retail stores nationwide. The beds were sold for approximately $139 to $199 each, excluding the mattresses.The affected beds distributed in 1992 include: the model 504 twin over full bunk bed, model 508 twin/twin, and model 510 twin/full futon bunk beds. The beds have metal frames made of hollow painted tubes. The glossy painted frame will be either red, blue, white or black. IEM beds have a gold sticker on the head or footboard that say "IEM" and "International Express Mfg."Consumers should immediately stop using the affected beds as bunk beds. To determine if you have an IEM bed, look for the gold sticker or contact the retailer for information. Consumers with affected IEM beds should discard or destroy them. The firm is out of business and a remedy is no longer available.The CPSC is continuing to investigate importers and manufacturers of metal bunk beds that may present a similar risk of collapsing. To date, firms have received over 500 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 welds. Consumers should stop using damaged bunk beds and contact the retailer, manufacturer, or importer. To assist CPSC in its investigation, consumers are urged to call the CPSC toll-free hotline weekdays at (800) 638-2772 to report incidents or injuries involving metal bunk beds. A teletypewriter for the hearing or speech or hearing impaired is available at (800) 638-8270.
Hazard
The upper level can fall causing the bunk bed to collapse. Collapse of the top bunk could result in injury to an occupant on the bed.
Remedy Instructions
Stop using affected beds immediately. Consumers with affected IEM beds should discard or destroy them. The firm is out of business and a remedy is no longer available.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Dispose, 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, No Remedy Available) 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.