"Home and Roam" and "Baby Express" portable crib/playpens

CPSC Recall #95-056 — January 2, 1995

Recall Summary

Recall Number95-056
Recall DateJanuary 2, 1995
Remedy TypeReplace
Units AffectedAbout 100,000

Product

"Home and Roam" and "Baby Express" portable crib/playpens

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - CPSC, Baby Trend Inc. of Pomona, Calif., is voluntarily recalling all portable crib/playpens sold under the brand names, Home and Roam and Baby Express. CPSC determined that the crib/playpens can collapse if the products are not completely locked into place. There have been two deaths and two more reports of babies found not breathing (who were revived) associated with these products. The crib/playpen can appear to be set up properly even if the top rails are not fully locked. If the crib/playpen is not set up so that each top rail is securely locked in position, a baby can be caught by the neck and strangle (see illustration). The crib/playpens, which are available in a variety of colors and fabrics, come in three sizes: 40 inches by 40 inches, 40 inches by 28 inches, and 31 inches by 41 inches. The words "Home and Roam" or "Baby Express" and "Baby Trend" appear on two of the four top rails. About 100,000 crib/playpens, priced from $60 to $130, were sold nationwide from 1992 to 1994 by several different retailers, including Price Costco and Kmart. Baby Trend is recalling ALL Home and Roam and Baby Express crib/playpens, regardless of the purchase date or warning labels. Consumers should call Baby Trend toll-free at (800) 328-7363 to have their top rail locks replaced free-of-charge. Baby Trend will pay the postage. The new lock is designed to prevent the collapsing risk.

Hazard

The crib/playpen can appear to be set up properly even if the top rails are not fully locked. If the crib/playpen is not set up so that each top rail is securely locked in position, a baby can be caught by the neck and strangle.

Incidents & Injuries

There have been two deaths and two more reports of babies found not breathing (who were revived) associated with these products.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should call Baby Trend toll-free at (800) 328-7363 to have their top rail locks replaced free-of-charge. Baby Trend will pay the postage. The new lock is designed to prevent the collapsing risk.

What Should You Do?

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