NEWS from CPSC

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Gold Key Enterprises Recalls Tubular Metal Bunk Beds; Collapsing Risk Cited

PRODUCT: Gold Key's high gloss, tubular metal frame, twin size/full size and twin size/twin size children's bunk beds. All models purchased from 1988 through September 1993 are affected. The beds are similar to other beds sold by numerous other vendors and can be identified by the protruding metal mattress support tongues which extend from the corner posts and slide into the top and bottom mattress frames. Most Gold Key beds also have distinctive scroll work on the head boards, foot boards and guard rails.

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 and contact the retailer, manufacturer or importer. If your bed matches the description above, call Gold Key toll-free at 1-800-652-1203 to obtain a free retrofit kit to reinforce the bed.

WASHINGTON, DC -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Gold Key Enterprises, Arlington, TX, is voluntarily providing reinforcement brackets for their children's tubular metal bunk beds. The upper level can fall unexpectedly causing the bunk beds to collapse.

Gold Key has received some 100 reports of these bed frames cracking or breaking. There were no reports of injury. From 1988 through September 1993 Gold Key distributed some 50,000 of these beds in models selling from approximately $160 to $300 each. The beds were sold largely through retailers in the midwest, including Rhodes, Unclaimed Freight, Rottmans, Schewel Furniture, Value City, Freight Sales, The Room Store, and Arronsons. Since September 1993, Gold Key has sold redesigned bunk beds and ceased distributing the former models.

All models of metal bunk beds distributed from 1988 through September 1993 are affected by this repair program. The beds are similar to other beds sold by numerous other vendors and can be identified by protruding metal mattress support tongues which extend from the corner posts and slide into the top and bottom mattress frames. Most Gold Key beds have distinctive scroll work on the head boards, foot boards and guard rails.

The tubular metal beds are sold in three basic models: twin-size on top over full-size on bottom, twin over twin, and twin over futon. All models are painted a high gloss red, white, blue, or black color. The bunk beds are believed to suffer a design flaw that may cause one or more of the eight corner supports to come loose.

Gold Key encourages consumers to immediately stop using the affected beds and call the company toll-free at 1-800-652-1203. Gold Key is offering consumers a free retrofit kit that will reinforce the eight corner supports 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 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.