Graco Toddler Beds pose a hazard to children, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the manufacturer have announced.
Graco Children's Products Inc. (search) has issued a voluntary recall on some 1.2 million of the toddler beds. The firm has received reports of 77 children whose arms, legs, or feet became trapped between the slats on the beds' sideboards or footboards. This resulted in 13 broken arms and legs, one broken foot, one sprained ankle, and 54 other injuries including bruised, scratched, and swollen limbs.
People should stop using the beds right away. The models included in the recall are sold as the Cozy Toddler Bed, the Glow-in-the-Dark Toddler Bed, and the Classic Toddler Bed. The model numbers – printed on a label on the guardrail or leg of the bed – are 8801, 8801WR, 8821, 8824, 8828, 8833, 30066, 34434, or 11030.
The model 8828 headboard has a blue sky with a yellow moon and stars. Model 8801WR has red legs. "Graco" is printed on all of the beds' footboards.
The beds were sold nationwide from February 1994 through March 2001 for between $50 and $70.
What Should Parents Do?
Graco says consumers should remove the guardrails from the recalled Graco toddler beds immediately and call the firm for a free retrofit kit. The kit includes custom designed mesh coverings that must be attached to the guardrails and footboard to prevent entrapment. The company promises to make the mesh coverings available in six to eight weeks.
Owners of the recalled products should contact Graco at (800) 837-4404 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or visit the Graco web site at www.gracobaby.com. Pictures of the recalled beds can be found at www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml05/05137.html.
By Daniel J. DeNoon, reviewed by Michael W. Smith, MD
SOURCES: News release, Consumer Product Safety Commission. News release, Graco Children's Products Inc. Graco.
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