BUNK BED RECALL - BIG LOTS
METAL FUTON BUNK BED RECALLED BY CPSC
Child’s Entrapment Death Prompts Big Lots Recall of Metal Futon Bunk Beds
June 16, 2011
CPSC Release #11-250
Big Lots is recalling about 30,000 metal futon bunk beds.
When the futon and its metal frame are lowered from the seated position to the flat position, children in the ladder area of the bunk bed can get trapped and die. If the children are behind the futon when the futon and frame change positions from seated to flat, the child can get entrapped and die.
A 3 year old Burlington, Iowa boy died when he got trapped at the head and neck in a BIG LOTS metal futon bunk bed. The weight of the bed's metal fram prevented the child from being able to breath or escape. While CPR was given after the boy was removed from the bed, the child died at the hospital due to compression asphyxiation.
IMPORTANT TO NOTE the bunk beds also have a space between the last rung on the ladder and the futon mattress is too small. The space between the mattress and the ladder is big enough to allow a child's body to pass through -- but not the child's head. THIS POSES A HEAD AND NECK ENTRAPMENT HAZARD.
The MODEL number for the BIG LOTS metal futon bunk bed is BFB1008. The top bunk holds a twin sized mattress and the bottom bunk is a convertible futon bed. This model number was only sold by BIG LOTS stores in the US from January 2009 - April 2010. The metal futon bunk beds sold for about $200. The bunk beds were sold unassembled, and were made in China.
STOP using these bunk beds and know that a free repair kit is available now from BIG LOTS. The kit contains new ladders and other parts that can be installed on the bunk bed to improve the safety.
Big Lot's website is www.biglots.com and their Recall Hotline is (866) 244-5687.
FIBICH HAMPTON 1.888.751.4050 or info@fhl-law.com if you need further information.. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 16, 2011
Release #11-250 Firm's Recall Hotline: (866) 244-5687
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 4
Child’s Entrapment Death Prompts Big Lots Recall of Metal Futon Bunk Beds
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Big Lots, of Columbus, Ohio, is voluntarily recalling about 30,000 metal futon bunk beds.
Children behind the futon or in the ladder area of the bunk bed can get entrapped when the futon and its metal frame are lowered from the seated to the flat position. This is what happened to a three-year old Burlington, Iowa boy who died when he became entrapped at the head and neck in the recalled bunk bed in March of 2010. The weight of the futon’s metal frame prevented the child from breathing and escaping. CPR was administered, but the child died at the hospital due to compression asphyxiation.
The bunk beds have an additional hazard. The space between the last rung on the bunk bed’s ladder and the futon mattress is too small, which can allow a child’s body to pass through, but not the head, posing a head and neck entrapment hazard.
The metal futon bunk beds have an upper bunk designed to hold a twin mattress. The bottom bunks have a convertible futon bed.
The recall involves metal futon bunk beds with model number BFB1008 located on a label on the upper bunk support rail. The recalled metal futon bunk beds were sold exclusively by Big Lots stores nationwide from January 2009 through April 2010 for about $200. They were sold unassembled, and were manufactured in China.
Consumers should immediately stop using these bunk beds and contact Big Lots for a free repair kit that contains new ladders and other parts that consumers can install at home.
For additional information, contact Big Lots toll-free at (866) 244-5687 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, e-mail the firm at talk2us@biglots.com or visit the firm’s website www.biglots.com