S&A Imports,Inc. Recalls Tubular Metal Bunk Beds; Collapsing Risk Cited

PRODUCT: S&A Imports 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 from others on the market by the protruding metal mattress support tongues which extend from the corner posts and slide into the top and bottom mattress frames.

PROBLEM: The bunk bed 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 an S&A bed, contact the retailer for information on the importer or manufacturer of the bed. Consumers with affected S&A beds should call the company toll-free at 1-800-729-0783 for a free retrofit kit to reinforce the bed.

WASHINGTON, DC -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), S&A Imports, Inc., Apopka, FL, is voluntarily providing reinforcement brackets for certain children's tubular metal frame bunk beds. The upper level can fall unexpectedly, causing the bunk bed to collapse. Collapse of the top bunk could result in injury to an occupant on the bed.

S&A has received two reports of these bed frames cracking or breaking, none of which resulted in injury. Approximately 2,700 affected beds were distributed from 1991 through 1993 in retail stores located in the Southeast states.

The beds sold for approximately $150 to $300 each (excluding mattresses). The bunk beds subject to this program, models 6202B (Black), 6202L (Blue), 6202R (Red) and 6202W (White), have metal frames made of hollow painted tubes. The beds use a standard twin size mattress on the top bunk and a full size mattress on the bottom bunk. The beds can be distinguished from others on the market by the mattress support connections. Eight protruding metal tongues extend from the corner posts and slide into the top and bottom mattress frames. The bunk beds may have been welded poorly or have an inadequate material thickness around one or more of the eight mattress support corners.

Consumers should immediately stop using the affected beds. To determine if you have an S&A bed, contact the retailer for information on the importer or manufacturer of the bed. Consumers with affected S&A beds should call the company toll-free at 1-800-729-0783 to obtain a free retrofit kit that will reinforce the upper bunk when assembled on the upper and lower corner joints.

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 400 complaints of defective bunk beds industry-wide. CPSC urges consumers to inspect all eight mattress support corners of any metal bunk beds for breaks or cracks in the paint or metal around the weld. Consumers should stop using damaged bunk beds and contact the retailer, manufacturer, or importer. To assist CPSC in its investigations, consumers are urged to call CPSC toll-free weekdays at 1-800-638-2772 to report incidents or injuries involving metal bunk beds. A teletypewriter for the hearing and speech impaired is available at 1-800-638-8270.