An Iowa boy died when his head and neck became entrapped and the weight of the futon's metal frame prevented him from breathing.
WASHINGTON — About 30,000 bunk beds have been recalled because of the threat of children becoming entrapped in the bed, a federal consumer agency said Thursday. A 3-year-old Iowa boy died after such a mishap in March 2010.
Big Lots of Columbus, Ohio, issued the voluntary recall of the metal futon bunk beds, which can entrap a child when the futon and its metal frame are lowered to a flat position. The recall was issued in cooperation with the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
The Burlington, Iowa, boy died when his head and neck became entrapped and the weight of the futon's metal frame prevented him from breathing.
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 bunk has a convertible futon bed.
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 the 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 1-866-244-5687 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. EDT Monday through Friday or visit the firm's website at www.biglots.com.
RECALLS THIS WEEK:
Here are the recalled items this week:
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BOOSTER SEATS
DETAILS: Target Corp. expanded a recall from 2009 to include a much larger number of Circo child booster seats. The blue plastic seats were sold beginning in January 2005 through June 2009 at stores nationwide.
WHY: The seat's buckle can open unexpectedly, allowing a child to fall.
INCIDENTS: There have been 10 additional reports, including three involving minor injuries to children.
HOW MANY: About 375,000, in addition to the 43,000 recalled in August 2009.
FOR MORE: Call 800-440-0680; visit www.target.com .
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FUTON BUNK BEDS
DETAILS: Big Lots metal futon bunk beds, which feature a double-sized futon on the bottom and space for a twin mattress on top. Sold by Big Lots of Columbus, Ohio, at the chain's stores nationwide from January 2009 to April 2010.
WHY: Children can get trapped behind the futon or in the bottom rung of the ladder when the futon and frame are lowered to the flat position.
INCIDENTS: A 3-year-old boy in Burlington, Iowa, died after becoming trapped in March 2010.
HOW MANY: About 30,000.
FOR MORE: Call 866-244-5687; visit www.biglots.com .
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GIRL'S DRESSES
DETAILS: Emma's Garden polka-dot girls' dresses in sizes 12 months to 5T, which were sold in pink and white, and black and white. Sold by TJX Cos. of Framingham, Mass., in the U.S. and Canada from March 2011 through April 2011.
WHY: The decorative buttons on the front of the dress pose a choking hazard for children.
INCIDENTS: None reported.
HOW MANY: About 21,000 in the U.S. and 2,600 in Canada.
FOR MORE: U.S. call 800-926-6299, visit www.tjmaxx.com or www.marhsallsonline.com . Canada call 800-646-9466; visit www.winners.ca .
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AIR CONDITIONERS & HEAT PUMPS
DETAILS: GE Zoneline air conditioners and heat pumps, distributed by GE Appliances and Lighting unit based in Louisville, Ky., and sold between March 2010 and March 2011. The units are mostly used in apartment buildings and commercial spaces.
WHY: An electrical component in the heating system can fail and pose a fire hazard.
INCIDENTS: There are four reports of smoke and/or fire, including two fires that spread beyond the units.
HOW MANY: About 90,600.
FOR MORE: Call 866-918-8771; visit www.geappliances.com/products/recall .
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CALPHALON KNIFE SETS
DETAILS: Calphalon Contemporary Cutlery knife sets, both 17- and 21-pieces, sold at major department and home furnishing stores nationwide, catalogs and online, from 2007 through May 2011.
WHY: The tips of the 8-inch slicing knife and 8-inch bread knife can protrude through the bottom of the wooden block holder, posing the danger of cutting.
INCIDENTS: One report of a cut finger.
HOW MANY: About 217,000.
FOR MORE: Call 800-809-7267 or visit www.calphalon.com .