Recall: Bunk Beds Recalled by Northern Bedroom's

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 7, 1999 Release # 00-027

Northern Bedroom's Inc: (888) 800-7708 CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: Ken Giles, (301) 504-7052

CPSC, Northern Bedroom's Inc. Announce Recall of Bunk Beds

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Northern Bedroom's Inc., of Oxford, Maine, is recalling about 2,800 wooden bunk beds. The top bunk does not have guardrails on both sides. A child could fall or become entrapped between the wall and the mattress if there are not guardrails on the top bunk.

CPSC is not aware of any deaths associated with the beds being recalled. However, since 1990, CPSC has received reports of seven children who died from becoming entrapped between the bed and the wall in upper bunks of bunk beds without guardrails.

The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) voluntary standard for bunk beds requires that bunk beds have guardrails on both sides of the top bunk. A new CPSC mandatory standard will go into effect in July 2000.

The recalled wooden bunk beds are made out of Northern White Ash and have natural, cherry, honey or golden finishes. They were sold under the model names Prestige, Spindle, and Cottage. There is no identifying information on the beds.

Furniture and specialty bedroom stores throughout the New England states sold the beds from May 1995 through February 1998 for about $300 to $550.

Consumers should stop using the recalled beds immediately and call the company toll-free at (888) 800-7708 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday to receive free guardrails for the top bunk.