Bunk Beds Recalled after Child’s Death

About 30,000 bunk beds have been recalled because of the threat of children becoming entrapped in the bed, a federal consumer agency said Thursday. A 3-year-old Iowa boy died after such a mishap in March 2010.

Big Lots of Columbus, Ohio, issued the voluntary recall of the metal futon bunk beds, which can entrap a child when the futon and its metal frame are lowered to a flat position. The recall was issued in cooperation with the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

The Burlington, Iowa, boy died when his head and neck became entrapped and the weight of the futon’s metal frame prevented him from breathing.

The bunk beds have an additional hazard. The space between the last rung on the bunk bed’s ladder and the futon mattress is too small, which can allow a child’s body to pass through but not the head, posing a head and neck entrapment hazard.

The metal futon bunk beds have an upper bunk designed to hold a twin mattress. The bottom bunk has a convertible futon bed.

The recalled metal futon bunk beds were sold exclusively by Big Lots stores nationwide from January 2009 through April 2010 for about $200. They were sold unassembled, and were manufactured in China.

Consumers should immediately stop using the bunk beds and contact Big Lots for a free repair kit that contains new ladders and other parts that consumers can install at home.