Recall: Bilt-Rite, Evenflo, Gerry, Graco, Kolcraft, Playskool, Pride-Trimble & Strolee Play Yard
Note: telephone number and company out of business changes
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Originally issued November 24, 1998, Last revised November 6, 2002 Release # 99-026 |
CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: Nychelle Fleming, (301) 504-7063 |
CPSC Announces Multiple Play Yard Recalls Due to Strangulation Hazard
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced today the voluntary recall of more than 9.6 million play yards/playpens with protruding rivets because they pose a strangulation risk. The playpens being recalled carry the brand names Bilt-Rite, Evenflo, Gerry, Graco, Kolcraft, Playskool, Pride-Trimble and Strolee. Toddlers can strangle in these playpens if pacifier strings or loose (or loosely woven) clothing catches on the playpens' protruding rivets.Since 1983, CPSC has received eight reports of toddlers who strangled in their playpens when pacifier strings or clothing they were wearing caught on the playpens' protruding rivets.
Consumers should check the outside top rails of their playpens for protruding metal rivets. The rivets are similar to nut and bolt fasteners, but the rivets cannot be removed. The rivets protrude about one-quarter to one-half inch from the outside top rails of the playpens. The shape of each playpen's rivets vary, so check the unit carefully.
If protruding rivets are found, consumers should stop using the playpens immediately. Five companies are offering remedies; consumers can call the following numbers to get the remedy being offered for these recalled playpens:
- Graco and Bilt-Rite play yards: (800) 345-4109
- Evenflo play yards: (800) 490-7549
- Gerry play yards: (888) 366-3828
- Kolcraft play yards: (800) 453-7673
CPSC reminds parents and caregivers that a pacifier should never be hung from a string around a child's neck.
The Bilt-Rite, Gerry, Graco, Kolcraft, Playskool, Pride-Trimble and Strolee playpens are drop-sided, mesh playpens that fold in half for storage.
Evenflo's Houdini playpen is a portable, mesh playpen that folds up for storage and travel. All Houdinis manufactured between 1994 and 1996 are subject to this recall even if they have plastic covers over the rivets. The rivet covers on these playpens must be replaced because they are defective and can crack, break or come off exposing the rivet and presenting a risk of strangulation.
The following table identifies playpens with protruding rivets that are being recalled.
Companies Participating in Recalls of Playpens with Protruding Rivets
(Playpens without protruding rivets are not part of this recall)
Manufacturer/ Remedy |
Brand Names/ Description |
How to Identify |
Estimated Quantity Made/Cost |
*Incidents |
---|---|---|---|---|
Graco Children's Products Inc. Elverson, Pa. $20 refund with proof of destruction |
Graco Drop-sided, mesh playpen that folds in half for storage |
"Graco" is written on floorboard or side rail |
2 million made from 1976 through 11/90 Cost $35 to $55 |
Five deaths |
Bilt-Rite Orangeburg, N.Y. $20 refund with proof of destruction |
Bilt-Rite Drop-sided, mesh playpen that folds in half for storage |
"Bilt-Rite" is written on floorboard |
More than 409,000 made through 1989 Cost $35 to $55 |
One death |
Kolcraft Enterprises Inc. Chicago, Ill. Repair kit |
Kolcraft or Playskool Drop-sided, mesh playpen that folds in half for storage |
"Kolcraft" or "Playskool" is written on floorboard or side rail |
2.6 million made from 1/86 through 5/98 Cost $40 to $70 |
One death |
Pride-Trimble Corp. Burbank, Calif. Gardena, Calif. Southern Pines, N.C. Out of Business Destroy |
Pride-Trimble Drop-sided, mesh playpen that folds in half for storage |
"Pride-Trimble Corp." is written on floorboard |
More than 4 million made from 1960 through 9/91 Cost $35 to $55 |
None known |
Pride-Trimble Inc. Weber City, Va. Out of Business Destroy |
Pride-Trimble Drop-sided, mesh playpen that folds in half for storage |
"Pride-Trimble Inc." is written on floorboard |
100,000 made from 10/91 through 1993 Cost $35 to $55 |
None known |
Evenflo Co. Inc. Piqua, Ohio Repair kit |
Houdini Portable, mesh playpen that folds up for storage and travel |
"Evenflo" is written on plastic hinge covers All units made from 1994 through 1996 are recalled |
205,000 made from 1994 through 1996 Cost $45 |
None known |
Hufco-Delaware Dayton, Ohio Repair kit |
Gerry Drop-sided, mesh playpen that folds in half for storage |
"Gerry" is written on floorboard |
100,000 made from 1986 through 1992 Cost $35 to $45 |
None known |
Strolee Co. Compton, Calif. Out of Business Destroy |
Strolee Drop-sided, mesh playpen that folds in half for storage |
"Strolee" is written on side rail |
200,000 made through 1983 Cost $35 to $55 |
None known |