Lexington Furniture Industries "Rainbow," "Color Plus," and "Perimeter" Collections

CPSC Recall #92-051 — February 9, 1992

Recall Summary

Recall Number92-051
Recall DateFebruary 9, 1992
Remedy TypeRepair
Units Affected4,050

Product

Lexington Furniture Industries "Rainbow," "Color Plus," and "Perimeter" Collections

Description

WASHINGTON, DC -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Devan Designs, Inc. of Marion, NC is providing a free modification kit for certain pieces of furniture in its "Rainbow," "Color Plus," and "Perimeter" Collections, marketed under the brand name Lexington Furniture Industries. The drawers of this furniture are equipped with easy gliding rollers which offer minimal resistance when opening. If several drawers of these pieces are opened to their full extension, the furniture can tilt forward, possibly causing serious injury or death. The CPSC was informed of this potential hazard by Devan Designs, Inc. after the report of a death which occurred when a five-drawer dresser fell on top of a 20-month-old child. Approximately 4,050 consumers purchased this furniture between December 1989 and June 1991 at furniture stores nationwide. The retail cost of these units ranged from $300 to $550 each. Devan Designs, Inc. developed one simple modification kit for all pieces which helps prevent the furniture from tilting forward. These minor modifications can be made by consumers in their homes. The modification program covers the following products: Rainbow #12 and Color Plus #13 Collections Item     Product Number as of 2/1/91     Previous Product Number     Door Dresser     506     01     Double Dresser     222     02     Chest     306     11     Chest     307     12     Bachelor Chest     513     10     Student Desk     532     27     Door Bachelor Chest     *     18     Wardrobe     *     17     Senior Dresser     *     06     Double Dresser     *     16     Computer Desk     *     93     Night Stand     621     21     * Discontinued Perimeter #17 Collection Item     Product Number     Door Dresser     506     Double Dresser     222     Chest     306     Chest     307     Bachelor Chest     513     Student Desk     532     Open Pier Cabinet     696     Left Pier Cabinet     697     Right Pier Cabinet     698     Night Stand     621       Consumers should examine their Devan furniture and check the product numbers listed in the furniture's brochure. If you own any of the above listed items, write to: Devan Modification Kit, P.O. Box 969, Marion, NC 28752, or call Devan Designs, Inc. collect at (704) 249-5277. Consumers should specify which pieces of furniture they own, their name and address, and the dealer from which they purchased the furniture. Within two weeks they will receive the free modification kit, which includes drawer catches and leveling glides. Should consumers have any problems making the modifications, consumers should call their nearest Devan dealer who will assist in making the necessary modifications. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is announcing this repair program as part of its mission to protect the public from unreasonable risks of injury and death associated with consumer products. The Commission's objective is to reduce the estimated 28.5 million injuries and 21,600 deaths associated each year with the 15,000 different types of consumer products under CPSC's jurisdiction.

Hazard

The drawers of this furniture are equipped with easy gliding rollers which offer minimal resistance when opening. If several drawers of these pieces are opened to their full extension, the furniture can tilt forward, possibly causing serious injury or death.

Incidents & Injuries

The CPSC was informed of this potential hazard by Devan Designs, Inc. after the report of a death which occurred when a five-drawer dresser fell on top of a 20-month-old child.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should specify which pieces of furniture they own, their name and address, and the dealer from which they purchased the furniture. Within two weeks they will receive the free modification kit, which includes drawer catches and leveling glides. Should consumers have any problems making the modifications, consumers should call their nearest Devan dealer who will assist in making the necessary modifications.

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.