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IKEA Beds Recalled

Posted in Accident & Injury on August 16, 2013

Scandinavian furniture chain IKEA has recalled 40,000 children’s beds. The U.S. Consumer Product Commission and Canadian officials both received reports of breakage and an increased risk of injury.

IKEA announced Thursday it is recalling KRITTER and SNIGLAR junior beds because a metal rod may detach, causing partial detachment of the guard rail and exposed sharp metal edges that present a laceration hazard.

If you own either of these beds, you should immediately check the product label, located either on the headboard or on the underside of the bed. According to IKEA, the company is “recalling for repair” batches of KRITTER beds stamped with manufacturing dates 1114-1322 and SNIGLAR beds labeled 1114-1318.

The beds were sold at IKEA stores and on its website from July 2005 through May 2013. Customers should stop using the beds immediately and contact customer service at (888) 966-4532 for a free repair kit.

While we’re on the topic of children’s beds, here’s some information I’d like to share:

Bunk Bed Safety Tips

Playing on any bed can be risky, but bunk beds are especially dangerous. In the United States, kids sustain around 36,000 bunk bed-related injuries every year. Accidents don’t just happen when children are playing around on the beds, they can also be at risk while sleeping. It’s important to talk to your kids about bunk bed safety. Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio suggests the following guidelines:

  • Use guardrails on both sides of the top bunk. The gaps in the guardrails should be 3.5 inches or smaller to prevent strangulation.
  • Guardrails need to extend at least 5 inches above the mattress top to prevent kids from rolling off.
  • Check that the mattress foundation is strong and that the right mattress size is used.
  • Children younger than 6 are too young to sleep in the top bunk.
  • Never let kids play on the bunk or ladder.
  • Remove dangerous objects from around the bed.
  • Keep the top bunk away from ceiling fans.
  • Install a night light near the ladder.
  • Do not use the bunk bed or ladder if any parts are damaged or broken.
  • Teach kids how to carefully climb the ladder.
  • Do not allow children to attach belts, scarves or ropes to the bunk bed. This can lead to strangulation.

Be especially careful if you have an older bunk bed, as materials may deteriorate and safety regulations have changed over the years.  For current federal bunk bed requirements, click here.

 

Sources:

“IKEA Recalls 40,000 Children’s Beds in U.S., Canada” by Kristin Jones, Wall Street Journal, August 15, 2013.

“Bunk Bed Safety” Nationwide Children’s Hospital, accessed August 15, 2013.