Product Recall Number: 99-026
Why was Play yards/playpens with protruding rivets recalled?
Toddlers can strangle in these playpens if pacifier strings or loose (or loosely woven) clothing catches on the playpens' protruding rivets.
Product Recall Number: 99-026
Product Safety Warning Number:
Date: 1999-11-24
Product Safety Warning Date:
Name Of Product: Play yards/playpens with protruding rivets
Description: 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. Five companies are offering remedies; consumers can call the following numbers to get the remedy being offered for these recalled playpens: - Graco and Bilt-Rite play yards: (800) 345-4109- Evenflo play yards: (800) 490-7549- Gerry play yards: (888) 366-3828- Kolcraft play yards: (800) 453-7673Consumers with Pride Trimble Corp. play yards, Pride-Trimble Inc. play yards and Strolee play yards should destroy or discard these products. No remedy is available as these three 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(Playpens without protruding rivets are not part of this recall)Manufacturer/RemedyBrand Names/DescriptionHow toIdentifyEstimated QuantityMade/Cost*IncidentsGraco Children'sProducts Inc.Elverson, Pa.$20 refund withproof of destructionGracoDrop-sided, meshplaypen that foldsin half for storage"Graco" is written onfloorboard or side rail2 million madefrom 1976through 11/90Cost $35 to $55Five deathsBilt-RiteOrangeburg, N.Y.$20 refund withproof of destructionBilt-RiteDrop-sided, meshplaypen that foldsin half for storage"Bilt-Rite" is writtenon floorboardMore than409,000 madethrough 1989Cost $35 to $55One deathKolcraft EnterprisesInc.Chicago, Ill.Repair kitKolcraft or PlayskoolDrop-sided, meshplaypen that foldsin half for storage"Kolcraft" or "Playskool"is written on floorboardor side rail2.6 million madefrom 1/86through 5/98Cost $40 to $70One deathPride-Trimble Corp.Burbank, Calif.Gardena, Calif.Southern Pines, N.C.Out of BusinessDestroyPride-TrimbleDrop-sided, meshplaypen that foldsin half for storage"Pride-Trimble Corp."is written on floorboardMore than 4 millionmade from 1960through 9/91Cost $35 to $55None knownPride-Trimble Inc.Weber City, Va.Out of BusinessDestroyPride-TrimbleDrop-sided, meshplaypen that foldsin half for storage"Pride-Trimble Inc."is written on floorboard100,000 made from10/91 through 1993Cost $35 to $55None knownEvenflo Co. Inc.Piqua, OhioRepair kitHoudiniPortable, meshplaypen that foldsup for storageand travel"Evenflo" is written onplastic hinge coversAll units made from1994 through 1996are recalled205,000 made from1994 through 1996Cost $45None knownHufco-DelawareDayton, OhioRepair kitGerryDrop-sided, meshplaypen that foldsin half for storage"Gerry" is writtenon floorboard100,000 made from1986 through 1992Cost $35 to $45None knownStrolee Co.Compton, Calif.Out of BusinessDestroyStroleeDrop-sided, meshplaypen that foldsin half for storage"Strolee" is writtenon side rail200,000 madethrough 1983Cost $35 to $55None known Immediately stop using these playpens and call (800) 345-4109 for information about participating in any of these playpen recalls*CPSC is aware of one toddler death from a playpen whose manufacturer is unknown.Consumers should immediately stop using these playpens and call the manufacturers at the numbers given above (except for the three companies out of business) to participate in the recall. If you have a playpen made by one of the companies out of business, the playpen should be discarded or destroyed. 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.
Hazard Description: Toddlers can strangle in these playpens if pacifier strings or loose (or loosely woven) clothing catches on the playpens' protruding rivets.
Consumer Action: None Listed
Original Product Safety Warning Announcement: None Listed
Remedy Type: Dispose, Refund, Repair, No Remedy Available
Units: None Listed
Incidents: 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.
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using these playpens and call the manufacturers at the numbers given above (except for the three companies out of business) to participate in the recall.Consumers with Pride Trimble Corp. play yards, Pride-Trimble Inc. play yards and Strolee play yards should destroy or discard these products. No remedy is available as these three companies are out of business.
Sold At: None Listed
Importers: None Listed
Manufacturers: None Listed
Distributors: None Listed
Manufactured In: None Listed
Custom Label: None Listed
Custom Field: None Listed