United Furniture to Provide Bunk Bed Modification Kit

WASHINGTON, DC -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, United Furniture Manufacturing, Inc., is providing consumers a free safety modification kit for their bunk beds. On United bunk beds sold without cross wires, the mattress and foundation may collapse causing injury or death to a bed occupant or to a child playing under a bed.

The Commission is aware of four deaths of children which occurred where the mattress and foundation of bunk beds became dislodged and fell on them. The bunk beds in these incidents were not manufactured by United Furniture. However, bunk beds sold by United Furniture have a mattress support system similar to three of the beds involved in the incidents.

United Furniture manufactures three difference models of bunk beds: #500, #600 and #700. On models #600 and #700, the berths can be switched, resulting in either berth being the upper or lower unit. The berths on model #500 can not be separated. The firm's name is found only on the state law tag attached to mattresses. Since many beds are sold without mattresses, see the attached pictures for identification of the bunk beds. Retail prices for the beds range from about $139.00 for the model #500 to about $270.00 for the model #700.

Approximately 20,000 bunk beds were manufactured and sold east of the Mississippi since April 1984. Bunk beds sold after February 1985 may have two cross wires on the upper berth only. Two cross wires per each berth are necessary to prevent mattress collapse whether used as a bunk or as two single beds.

Consumers should examine their bunk beds. If ledges attached to the bunk bed side rails are the only means of support for the mattress and foundation on either berth, they should call United Furniture collect at 803-879-7373 for a free modification kit.

To report an unsafe consumer product or receive safety information, consumers may call the CPSC toll-free hotline number at 800-638-CPSC. A teletypewriter number for the hearing impaired is (301) 595-7054.

Consumers should examine their bunk beds. If ledges attached to the bunk bed side rails are the only means of support for the mattress and foundation on either berth, they should call United Furniture collect at 803-879-7373 for a free modification kit.

The Commission is aware of four deaths of children which occurred where the mattress and foundation of bunk beds became dislodged and fell on them. The bunk beds in these incidents were not manufactured by United Furniture. However, bunk beds sold by United Furniture have a mattress support system similar to three of the beds involved in the incidents.