Recall: Wooden Bunk Beds Recalled by Manufacturers

Note: Firm phone number changes, Firm out of business.

CPSC And Manufacturers Announce Recall Of Wooden Bunk Beds

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and 11 bunk bed manufacturers jointly announced today a recall program for more than 320,000 wooden bunk beds. The bunk beds have openings on the top bunk which may 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. This recall program is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury and death.

From 1990 through 1994, CPSC received reports of 24 children who died from becoming caught in bunk beds with similar spaces in the top bunk. Nineteen of those children were ages two and under, and four were three years of age. Neither CPSC nor the manufacturers are aware of any injuries or 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 placing permanent labels on their 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 recalled beds were sold nationwide through furniture and specialty stores. 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 that will eliminate the potential entrapment hazard. If this cannot be done (for example, firm out of business), the product should be destroyed or discarded. If consumers are not sure of the bunk bed manufacturer or have any questions about this recall, they should call CPSC's Hotline at (800) 638-2772.