Fashion Bed Group Recalls Tubular Metal Bunk Beds; Collapsing Risk Cited

PRODUCT: Approximately 4,800 Fashion Bed Group (previously known as Berkshire Furniture Company) high gloss, tubular metal frame, twin-size/full-size ("Slumberama") and twin-size/twin-size ("Double Decker") children's bunk beds, imported between January and May 1991 and sold in specialty retail stores nationwide.

PROBLEM: The bunk beds may collapse during use. Bed occupants may be injured by the falling upper bunk.

WHAT TO DO: Stop using the beds immediately. To determine if you have a Fashion Bed Group bed, contact the retailer. Consumers with affected Fashion Bed Group beds should call the company toll-free at 1-800-825-5233 for a free retrofit kit to reinforce the bed.

WASHINGTON, DC - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Fashion Bed Group (previously known as Berkshire Furniture Company), Chicago, IL, is voluntarily providing reinforcement brackets for certain children's tubular metal frame bunk beds. The upper level bunk can fall causing the bed to collapse. Collapse of the upper bunk could result in injury to an occupant on the bed.

Fashion Bed Group has received approximately 18 reports alleging metal failures and collapse, including three reports of injury. Approximately 4,800 affected bunk beds were imported between January and May 1991 and sold in specialty retail stores nationwide. The beds sold for approximately $179 to $299 each.

The affected beds include the twin/full model "Slumberama," and the twin/twin model "Double Decker." The beds have metal frames made of hollow painted tubes. The glossy painted frames are either red, blue, white or black.

Consumers should immediately stop using the affected beds. To determine if you have a Fashion Bed Group bed, contact the retailer. Consumers with affected Fashion Bed Group beds should call the company toll-free at 1-800-825-5233 to obtain a free retrofit kit that will reinforce the bed 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 all metal bunk beds for breaks or cracks in the paint and metal around the weld. Consumers should stop using damaged bunkbeds 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 1-800-638-2772 to report incidents or injuries involving metal bunk beds. A tele- typewriter for the hearing impaired is available at 1-800-638-8270.