Note: telephone number change, responding company change

In Wake of Another Death, CPSC Again Urges Search for Previously Recalled Portable Cribs and Play Yards

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) again is urging consumers to immediately search for and stop using previously recalled child products, in particular the "Playskool Travel-Lite" portable crib, which was manufactured by Kolcraft from 1990 through 1992 and recalled in 1993. According to the Asbury Park Press newspaper, a 10-month-old New Jersey infant died on Wednesday after becoming trapped in a collapsed Playskool Travel-Lite portable crib. CPSC issued this same warning in June, following the death of a 17-month-old Chicago toddler in the Playskool Travel-Lite portable crib. A $60 bounty is being offered for the return of each Travel-Lite crib.

Manufacturers of portable cribs and play yards have joined in the effort to warn consumers and childcare providers to stop using the more than 1.5 million portable cribs and play yards that have been recalled in past years. Top rail hinges must be turned to set up the cribs and play yards. These top rails can collapse, entrapping children and suffocating them. Thirteen children have died from suffocation in collapsed play yards and portable cribs manufactured by various firms. Current production play yards have top rails that automatically lock into place when the play yards are fully set up.

CPSC has been actively publicizing these previous recalls. Each recall has been distributed to media outlets nationwide and state and local health organizations. CPSC has included these products in the past two years' national recall roundup campaigns. The Commission has held multiple press conferences and broadcast video news releases by satellite so that local television stations can report these stories by showing the product and demonstrating the collapsing side rails. Chairman Brown has announced these play yard recalls on network morning shows, which reach millions of viewers.

"Once again, we urge consumers to immediately search their homes and daycare centers for these portable cribs and play yards and stop using them," said CPSC Chairman Ann Brown. "We are asking the news media to help us get word of these dangerous products out to consumers so that another tragedy is prevented. The media plays a critical role in reaching consumers. We can't go into everyone's home, but newspapers, and radio and television stations can. I ask every newspaper and every radio and television station to run weekly recall announcements so that consumers can find out if products in their home are being recalled. The news media should be their reliable source for product recall information."

The Playskool Travel-Lite portable cribs have two nylon mesh sides and two blue solid plastic ends. "Playskool" appears in white letters on a red background on each end. The portable crib folds in the center for storage and handling. Stores nationwide sold 11,600 of the products from 1990 through 1992.

Kolcraft has gone to great lengths to renew their recall efforts. Kolcraft is offering $60 to consumers for the return of each Travel-Lite portable crib. They also sent new recall notices to pediatricians, childcare providers and consumer magazines. Consumers with Playskool Travel-Lite cribs should call Kolcraft at (800) 453-7673 for instructions on receiving the refund and disposing of the products.

The following table lists the portable cribs and play yards, manufactured by various companies, that have been recalled because of similar hazards. Consumers and childcare providers should check for the following recalled play yards and portable cribs. If these products are found, consumers should call the company listed below. 

  Conumers can also view video clips showing how the top rails of some of these recalled portable cribs and play yards can collapse.

Before using used nursery equipment, even if it has been used for a sibling, consumers should check the recalled product lists. Consumers can get information about recalled products in the following ways:

- Call the CPSC hotline, available 24-hours-a-day, at (800) 638-2772.

- Check the CPSC web site at www.cpsc.gov.

- Receive recall notices automatically by FAX, e-mail or regular mail free of charge by calling the CPSC hotline or writing to CPSC, Washington, DC 20207.

- Return product registration or warranty cards so manufacturers can reach you directly if there is a recall.