Second Death Moves Sears To Step Up Brawny Bed Recall

As a result of a second fatal accident involving a Brawny bunk bed, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced that Sears, Roebuck and Co. is notifying customers of the availability of a free safety modification kit for the beds.

The recently reported second death involved a 21-month-old Pennsylvania child reportedly playing under a Brawny bunk bed with his 3-year-old brother in September 1985. The mattress assembly was dislodged and fell on the younger child. The bunk beds were set up as twin beds at the time of the accident, but did not have cross wires to prevent the mattress assembly from falling through the bed frame. In December 1983, a two-year-old Denver boy died under similar circumstances.

In February 1985, Sears advertised the availability of a modification kit in newspapers nationwide and through signs in its retail and catalog outlets. Only about 25,000 of about 112,000 Brawny owners have ordered the modification kit. Sears will use national magazine advertisements and warning posters in its outlets to notify customers of the modification kit's availability.

The free modification kit was developed to help prevent the mattress assembly from falling through the bed frame. It consists of four metal cross wires. Two cross wires are to be securely fastened from one side rail to the other on each bed.

Customers who have a Brawny bunk bed which does not have cross wires securely screwed onto the side rails can obtain a free modification kit by calling 800-831-5551 or their nearest Sears retail or catalog outlet. in Illinois only, customers should call 800-323-0366. The kits will be shipped free of charge from the manufacturer directly to consumer.