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CPSC Announces Multiple Play Yard Recalls Due to Strangulation Hazard November 24, 1998
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SourceUnited States Consumer Product Safety CommissionForumsHealth, Safety, Nutrition and KidsRelated ArticlesA Consumer Guide to Product Safety RecallsCPSC Hotline Information For Immediate Release; |
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 and call (800) 794-4115 anytime to get the remedy being offered for these recalled playpens. Six companies are offering remedies and two companies are out of business. 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 |
| Mfrs/Remedy | Brand Names/ Description | How to ID | 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. $15 refund with proof of destruction |
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 |
*CPSC is aware of one toddler death from a playpen whose manufacturer is unknown.
Immediately stop using these playpens and call (800)794-4115 or information about participating in any of these playpen recalls
Consumers should immediately stop using these playpens and call (800) 794-4115 anytime to participate in the recall. If consumers have a playpen with protruding rivets made by a company not participating in the recall, they should stop using it immediately and report this information to CPSC's Hotline at (800) 638-2772.
Once again, CPSC reminds parents and caregivers that a pacifier should never be hung from a string around a child's neck.
There are many different models of playpens without protruding rivets. Playpens without protruding rivets are not part of this recall.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission protects the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death from 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC's hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC's teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270, or visit CPSC's web site at http://www.cpsc.gov/talk.html. For information on CPSC's fax-on-demand service, call the above numbers or visit the web site at http://cpsc.gov/about/who.html.
