Death of 22-month-old prompts recall of boat-shaped beds

Two styles of boat-shaped youth beds with built-in toy chests have been recalled by the Consumer Product Safety Commission after the death of a 22-month-old California boy who strangled when the lid of the toy chest fell on the back of his neck entrapping him on the edge of the chest. The LaJolla boat bed (pictured), in which the boy was killed, and the Caribbean twin trundle bed were sold at Costco, Costco.com and furniture retail stores from January 2006 through May of this year for between $700 and $1,400. The recall involves 9,350 beds.

In the recall notice, the CPSC said the beds, which were made for Bayside Furnishings of San Diego and manufactured in China, posed a hazard because the lid supports fail to prevent the lid from closing too quickly. The already assembled toy chests are designed in the shape of a ship or boat's "bow" and attached to the beds as a foot board. The LaJolla boat bed toy chest has a hardwood top and white wood base with a blue stripe. The Pirates boat bed toy chest has a hardwood top, wheel shape and brown wood base with decorative carvings.

The CPSC cautions parents to immediately stop children from using the toy chests and to contact Bayside for instructions on receiving a free repair kit with replacement lid supports by calling (877) 494-2536 anytime, or by visiting the firm's Web site at www.baysidefurnishings.com to register online for the free repair kit.

The CPSC was alerted to the hazard by the Placer County Child Death Review Team.

At Consumer Reports, we strongly caution parents about toy chests with hinged lids knowing the hazards they pose. Not only can children become entrapped by the lid but they can suffocate in the chest if they crawl inside and become trapped. If you have a toy chest, or any chest, with a freely falling hinged lid, the safest thing you can do is remove the lid entirely.

To learn more, read our Guide to Childproofing and Safety.