Note: One of the firms out of business.

CPSC Announces Recall Of Additional Wooden Bunk Beds

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), three bunk bed manufacturers and importers are recalling over 31,400 wooden bunk beds. The bunk beds have openings on the top bunk that present a potential entrapment hazard to young children. The spaces can be large enough for a child's body to pass through, but small enough to entrap the child's head.

On May 9, 1995, CPSC and 11 manufacturers announced the recall of more than 320,000 wooden bunk beds with similar entrapment hazards. Similarly, on September 28, 1995, CPSC and an additional 10 manufacturers announced the recall of over 41,000 wooden bunk beds. In response to this action, the manufacturers participating in this recall have also identified bunk beds with similar entrapment hazards.

From 1990 through 1995, CPSC received reports of 26 children who died from becoming caught in bunk beds with similar spaces in the top bunk. Twenty one of those children were ages two and under, and four were three years of age. Neither CPSC nor the manufacturers are aware of any deaths associated with the products listed below.

The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) voluntary standard for bunk beds requires that, in addition to having guardrails on both sides of the top bunk, any spaces between the guardrail and bed frame, and in the head and foot boards on the top bunk, be less than 3.5 inches. Bunk beds currently made by the companies listed below now meet the spacing requirement of the voluntary standard. The companies are also providing permanent labels for or placing permanant labels on their bunk beds to warn that children under the age of six be prohibited from the upper bunk. CPSC and the manufacturers continue to urge parents and caregivers not to put children under the age of six on the top bunk.

The manufacturers and importers listed below are participating in this recall to improve the safety of these beds and to meet the requirements of the voluntary standard.

Consumers should stop using the recalled beds immediately and call the company or contact the retailer for a replacement guardrail, retrofit kit, or instructions to help eliminate the potential entrapment hazard. If this cannot be done (for example, firm out of business) then consumers should destroy or discard the product. If consumers are not sure of the bunk bed manufacturer or have questions about this recall, they should call CPSC's Hotline at (800) 638-2772.