Coaster Company Of America Recalls Tubular Metal Bunk Beds; Collapsing Risk Cited

PRODUCT: Coaster Company's 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.

PROBLEM: The bunk beds may collapse during use.

WHAT TO DO: Stop using affected beds immediately. To determine if you have a Coasterbed, contact the retailer for information on the importer or manufacturer of the bed. Consumers with affected Coaster beds should call the company toll-free at (800) 221-9699 for a free repair kit or replacement of the mattress support frame or bed.

WASHINGTON, DC - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Coaster Company of America, Santa Fe Springs, CA, is voluntarily offering a replacement or repair of certain children's tubular metal frame bunk beds. The upper level can fall causing the bunk bed to collapse. Collapse of the top bunk could result in injury to an occupant on the bed.

The Coaster Company has received 8 reports of these beds breaking, including one report of an injury. Approximately 13,500 affected bunk beds were distributed from May 1992 through December 1992 in retail stores nationwide. The beds sold for approximately $139 to $199 each (excluding the mattresses).

The affected beds distributed in 1992 include the 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. The beds have metal frames made of hollow painted tubes. The glossy painted frame will be either red, blue or white. Coaster Com pany beds also have 13 crossbars on both the top and bottom mattress supports, and a center brace on the bottom mattress support.

Consumers should immediately stop using affected beds as bunk beds. To determine if you have a Coaster bed, contact the retailer for information on the importer or manufacturer of the bed. Consumers with affected Coaster beds should call the company toll- free at (800) 221-9699 to obtain either a repair kit, replacement of the mattress support frames or replacement of the bed.

The CPSC is investigating numerous other importers and manufacturers of metal bunk beds that may present a similar risk of collapsing. To date, firms have received over 300 complaints of defective bunk beds industry-wide. CPSC urges all consumers to inspect all eight mattress support corners of all metal bunk beds for breaks or cracks in the paint and metal around the weld. Consumers should stop using damaged bunk beds and contact the retailer, manufacturer, or importer.

To assist CPSC in its continuing bunk bed investigations, consumers are urged to call the CPSC toll-free hotline weekdays at (800) 638-2772 to report incidents or injuries involving metal bunk beds. A teletypewriter for the hearing impaired is available at (800) 638-8270.