Recalls: Furniture and Furnishings and Decorations
March 24, 1986 Release # 86-022 Second Death Moves Sears To Step Up Brawny Bed Recall As a result of a second fatal accident involving a Brawny bunk bed, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced that Sears, Roebuck and Co. is notifying customers of the availability of a free safety modification kit for the beds. The recently reported second death involved a 21-month-old Pennsylvania child reportedly playing under a Brawny bunk bed with his 3-year-old brother in September 1985. The mattress assembly was dislodged and fell on the younger child. The bunk beds were set up as twin beds at the time of the accident, but did not have cross wires to prevent the mattress assembly from falling through the bed frame. In December 1983, a two-year-old Denver boy died under similar circumstances. In February 1985, Sears advertised the availability of a modification kit in newspapers nationwide and through signs in its retail and catalog outlets. Only about 25,000 of about 112,000 Brawny owners have ordered the modification kit. Sears will use national magazine advertisements and warning posters in its outlets to notify customers of the modification kit's availability. The free modification kit was developed to help prevent the mattress assembly from falling through the bed frame. It consists of four metal cross wires. Two cross wires are to be securely fastened from one side rail to the other on each bed.Customers who have a Brawny bunk bed which does not have cross wires securely screwed onto the side rails can obtain a free modification kit by calling 800-831-5551 or their nearest Sears retail or catalog outlet. in Illinois only, customers should call 800-323-0366. The kits will be shipped free of charge from the manufacturer directly to consumer Read more.
Lite Tree Top Ornament Warning NEWS from CPSC U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 21, 1983 Release # 83-065 Lite Tree Top Ornament Warning Washington, DC.-- The U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission warns consumers that approximately 200,000 "Lite Tree Top" ornaments imported from Taiwan could overheat and melt when set for non-flashing or non-twinkling operation, and may present a potential fire hazard. Atleast 25 models of these Christmas tree ornaments have been imported and marketed by a number of domestic companies. These Lite Tree Top ornaments have nine to twelve lights each and include star, angel, halo, or other shapes. They retail for about two to three dollars. Though no actual fires or injuries have been reported, the Commission is aware of at least six recent consumer complaints where these Lite Tree Top ornaments have overheated, resulting in melting or smoking of the light reflectors. Consumers have been confused by a contradictory instruction and caution statement found on the rear of the ornament box. The instruction states: "Special Feature: To make this set non twinkling, replace the clear flasher lamp with the constant burning lamp provided extra in the set." This is contradicted by a later statement: "Caution: Do not make this set a steady burn as it may cause over- heating and cause the reflector to melt." The Commission advises consumers who have purchased these Lite Tree Top ornaments to check the package box for the contradictory labeling and, if present, should use the ornament only in the flashing or twinkling mode or stop using it. Further information on holiday safety may be obtained by calling the Consumer Product Safety Commission's toll-free Hotline at 800-638-CPSC. A teletypewriter number for the hearing impaired is (301) 595-7054. Read more.
