Graco Toddler Beds recalled!
This is from Consumer Reports
March 2005
Baby products company fined record amount and announces recall of
toddler beds
Graco, one of the biggest names in juvenile products, on Tuesday was slapped with a $4 million fine--the largest imposed by the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in its history. Announcing the fine, the commission criticized Graco for concealing information about deaths, injuries, and hazards associated with millions of its strollers, infant carriers, high chairs, and other goods. Between 1991 and 2002, the company engaged in "systematic violations" of the law by either failing to inform the government of potential product hazards and related injuries or failing to report the information in a timely manner, said Leonardo Alcivar, the CPSC's director of public affairs.
The penalty covers hazards linked to 16 products sold under the Graco and Century brands, encompassing some 13 million units. All the products were subsequently recalled, though some were on the market as recently as 2004. The entire list of recalled items appears below. The products were implicated in nearly 900 injuries ranging from contusions to fractures, and six strangulation deaths. The deaths, which were associated with Graco infant swings, occurred when the infants slid down the swings' seat and were tangled in the restraints.
Although the legal limit for such CPSC fines is $1.825 million, the cap was raised because multiple violations were involved, said Scott Wolfson, a commission spokesman. The previous record penalty was $1.75 million, imposed against Costco/Safety First for failing to report defects in a variety of baby products.
"Companies should realize the CPSC will take swift action against anyone who withholds safety information from the commission, especially if it involves serious injuries and death," Wolfson said. "The message for companies is that the quicker you report to the CPSC, the quicker we can work together to keep injuries low and consumers informed about dangerous products."
In agreeing to settle the case and accept the fine, Graco's parent company, Newell Rubbermaid, did not admit wrongdoing. "It is our understanding that Graco did not knowingly violate the CPSC's reporting requirements," the company said in a written statement to Consumer Reports through a public relations firm. "Graco has worked diligently with the CPSC to resolve any issues with reporting and we are committed to rectifying this matter and maintaining a cooperative relationship with the CPSC."
Newell Rubbermaid, in its written statement, said the fine pertained to incidents that occurred before Newell acquired Rubbermaid, which owned Graco at the time, when a different executive management team was in place. "The current implementation of systems will ensure that this will not occur moving forward," the statement said.
CPSC Chairman Hal Stratton, in a CPSC press release, applauded Newell Rubbermaid's steps to identify "safety failures" by companies it purchased and to put in place new safeguards.
A recall of toddler beds
On March 22, Graco, which is based in Exton, Pa., issued a recall of 1.2 million toddler beds, sold nationwide between February 1994 and March 2001, because of the danger of entrapment between the slats in the guard rails or foot board.
The beds were sold under the name "Cozy Toddler Bed," "Glow-in-the-Dark Toddler Bed," and "Classic Toddler Bed." The suspect units have a label on the guard rail or leg containing one of the following model numbers: 8801, 8801WR, 8821, 8824, 8828, 8833, 30066, 34434, or 11030. The label also contains a serial number and the manufacturer's address. The headboard for model 8828 has a blue sky with a yellow moon and stars. Model 8801WR has red legs. "Graco" is printed on all of the beds' footboards. Graco has received reports of 77 entrapments, resulting in 13 broken arms and legs, a broken foot, a sprained ankle, and 54 other injuries, including bruised, scratched, and swollen limbs.
Consumers should remove the guard rails from the beds immediately and call Graco at 800-837-4404 for a free retrofit kit. The kit includes mesh coverings that attach to the guard rails and footboard to prevent entrapment. The coverings will be available in six to eight weeks, the company says. For information, go to www.gracobaby.com and click on Customer & Product Support.
The hazardous products behind the fine
For details on each product recall below, go to www.cpsc.gov, select Recalls and Product Safety News, then click on Company.
Name Number of units When made or sold The hazard Injuries
Century "Assura" infant seat/carrier 4 million 1/91 to 7/97 When used as carrier, handle could break and allow infant to fall to ground. More than 200 including concussions, skull fractures, lacerations, broken bones, bruises and scratches.
Century stroller travel systems "Take 2," "Travel Solutions," "Pioneer," "Travelite," and "Pro Sport" 650,000 12/96 to 3/01 Could collapse or safety seat/carrier adapter could detach and allow child to fall to ground. Approximately 250 including skull fractures, a broken elbow, chipped teeth, bruises, and cuts.
Graco high chairs 860,000 1/95 to 12/97 Legs could detach and allow child to fall to ground. 105 including a concussion, broken noses, cuts, black eyes, bumps, bruises.
Graco infant carrier/swing seat 564,000 8/93 to 8/97 Handle could release and allow infant to fall to ground. Four skull fractures and two concussions.
Graco Travel Lite infant swing 7 million All sold through 1/98 Infant could slip down into seat and get tangled in restraints, resulting in fall or strangulation. Six strangulation deaths and 181 falls, several resulting in fractures or concussions.
Graco Travel Lite infant swing 140,000 6/03 to 6/04 Handle might fall out of position and strike and injure child. Also, restrictive safety belt could expose child to injury. 28 reports of handle falling on child and 100 reports of child suffering swollen lip, bumps, and bruises from hitting floor or swing frame.
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