Note: Phone number change.

Bernards, Inc. Recalls Tubular Metal Bunk Beds; Collapsing Risk Cited

PRODUCT: Bernards high gloss, tubular metal frame, twin size/full size children's bunk beds. Bernards Model Numbers 354 (Black), 364 (White), 464 (Red) and 465 (Blue) distributed since May 1992 are affected. 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 a Bernards bed, contact the retailer for information on the importer or manufacturer of the bed. Consumers with affected Bernards beds should call the company toll-free at 1-800-861-6130 for retrofit kits for the affected beds.

WASHINGTON, DC -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Bernards, Inc., Highpoint, NC, is voluntarily providing reinforcement brackets for certain children's tubular metal bunk beds. The upper level can fall unexpectedly, potentially causing injury to anyone on the bed.

Bernards has received 84 reports of these bed frames cracking or breaking, including one report of injury from such breaking. Approximately 11,000 beds were distributed from May 1992 until distribution ceased in August 1992. The beds were sold in retail stores nationwide. The beds sold for approximately $169 to $249 each.

All twin-size on top over full-size on bottom "Pyramid" and "Broadway" model beds distributed from May 1992 through August 1992 are affected by this retrofit program. All models are painted a high gloss red (#464), white (#364), blue (#465), or black (#354) color. The bunk beds may have been welded poorly or have an inadequate material thickness around one or more of the eight mattress support corners.

The beds can be distinguished from others on the market by the mattress support connections. The beds have eight protruding metal tongues which extend from the corner posts and slide into the top and bottom mattress frames. (see illustration) Consumers should immediately stop using the affected beds. To determine if you have a Bernards bed, contact the retailer for information on the importer or manufacturer of the bed. Consumers with affected Bernards beds should call the company toll-free at 1-800-861-6130. Bernards is offering consumers reinforcement brackets for the affected beds.

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 all 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.