NEWS from CPSC

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

CPSC Announces Repair-Recall Of Imported Bunk Beds Because Of A Collapsing Risk

PRODUCT: Bunk beds imported by the following companies:

CPSC is continuing to investigate additional bunk bed importers/distributors for potentially hazardous beds.

PROBLEM: These bunk beds may unexpectedly collapse during use. Bed occupants may be injured by the falling upper bunk.
WHAT TO DO: Stop using the affected beds immediately. To determine if you have one of these beds, contact the retailer for information on the importer or manufacturer of the bed. Contact the respective importer or manufacturer of the bed for information on whether you should receive a replacement bed or a retrofit kit consisting of reinforcement brackets.

WASHINGTON, DC -- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) today announces corrective action programs for four importers of imported metal bunk beds because of a collapsing risk.

Gold Key Enterprises, Arlington, TX. Sold approximately 50,000 high gloss, tubular metal frame, twin size/full size and twin size/twin size children's bunk beds. All models purchased from 1988 through September 1993 are affected. The beds are similar to other beds sold by numerous other vendors and can be identified by the protruding metal mattress support tongues which extend from the corner posts and slide into the top and bottom mattress frames. Most Gold Key beds also have distinctive scroll work on the head boards, foot boards and guard rails.

Bernards, Inc., Highpoint, NC. Sold approximately 11,000 high gloss, tubular metal frame, twin size/full size children's bunk beds. Model Numbers 354 (black), 364 (white), 464 (red) and 465 (blue) distributed since May 1992 are affected. The beds can be distinguished by the protruding metal mattress support tongues which extend from the corner posts and slide into the top and bottom mattress frames.

S&A Imports, Inc., Apopka, FL. Sold approximately 2,700 high gloss, tubular metal frame, twin size/full size (twin size on top; full size on bottom) children's bunk beds. Four models are affected: Models 6202B (black), 6202L (blue), 6202R (red) and 6202W (white). The beds can be distinguished by the protruding metal mattress support tongues which extend from the corner posts and slide into the top and bottom mattress frames.

Fashion Bed Group (previously known as Berkshire Furniture Company), Chicago, IL. Approximately 4,800 high gloss, tubular metal frame, twin-size/full-size ("Slumberama") and twin-size/twin-size ("Double Decker") children's bunk beds, imported between January and May 1991, sold in specialty retail stores nationwide.

Five previously announced corrective action programs are continuing:

• L. Powell Co., Culver City, CA. Sold approximately 23,000 distinctive C-shaped tubular metal frame children's bunk beds in stores nationwide from June 1992 through March 31, 1993. The beds are models 440 (red), 446 (white), 447 (blue), and 448 (black). They use a twin-size mattress on the top and a full- size mattress on the bottom. They have C-shaped headboard and footboard frames, partial guard rails on both sides of the upper bunk, and a middle leg on the side rail of the bottom bunk. Powell's other beds are not affected.
• Montgomery Ward, Chicago, IL. Approximately 13,000 high gloss, tubular metal frame, twin size/full size bunk beds, model number 66-72995 (red or white) manufactured by Yu Wei, Inc. between 1990 and 1991 are affected. Bunk beds with a center, fifth leg on the lower full size bed portion are not affected.
• Southern Enterprises, Inc., Dallas, TX. Approximately 6,000 high gloss, tubular metal frame, twin size/full size children's bunk beds (SEI) #BB-104-2 (red), BB-105-2 (white), BB-106-2 (blue), and BB-107-2 (black) sold since January 1990. (Twin size on top; full size on bottom). All beds subject to this program have rectangular mattress support side rails measuring 3/4-inch by 1-1/2 inches.
• Coaster Company of America, Santa Fe Springs, CA. Sold approximately 13,000 high gloss, tubular metal frame, twin size/full size and twin size/twin size children's bunk beds. Four models are affected: model 2331 twin/full bunk bed, model 2332 twin/full bed with a "C"-shaped frame, and models 2330 and 2335 twin/twin bunk beds. All beds have 13 crossbars on the top and bottom mattress supports, and a center brace on the bottom mattress support.
• Rosalco, Inc., Jeffersonville, IN. Sold approximately 175,000 high gloss, tubular metal frame, twin size/full size children's bunk bed, Rosalco models 3007 (red), 3027 (blue), 3207 (white), and 3227 (black) sold since January 1990. (Twin size on top; full size on bottom.) Also metal frame twin size/twin size bunk beds, Rosalco models 3006 (red), 3026 (blue) 3206 (white) and 3226 (black). All beds have rectangular mattress support side rails measuring 1 inch by 2 inches.

CPSC staff is working with about five other firms to obtain additional corrective action programs. These firms imported similar beds but in smaller quantities.

CPSC Chairman Ann Brown said, "These tubular metal bunk beds represent an industry-wide problem. The beds may unexpectedly collapse because of weak corner supports. CPSC has taken action to address this hazard."

If consumers have a tubular metal bunk bed, they should:

• Inspect all eight mattress support corners for cracks in the paint or metal. If cracks are found, STOP USING IT IMMEDIATELY. Do not wait for the bed to creak.
• Whether or not cracks are present, call the retailer where the bed was bought to see if it was imported by one of the nine firms involved in the corrective action programs.
• If the bed is part of a corrective action program, get the toll free phone number and call for instructions.
• If the bed has no cracks in the corner supports, consumers will receive a repair kit consisting of reinforcement brackets. If there are cracks, the consumer will receive a new bed.
• If the bed has cracks and is not imported by one of the nine importers, the public should stop using it immediately and contact the CPSC hotline by phoning 1-800-638-2772.

CPSC's mission is to protect the public from unreasonable risks of injury and death associated with consumer products. The Commission's objective is to reduce the estimated 28.6 million injuries and 21,700 deaths associated each year with the 15,000 different types of consumer products under CPSC's jurisdiction.