Circus America Playpens Modification by C&T International
NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs
Washington, DC 20207
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 23, 1988
Release # 88-030
Playpens to be Modified Because of Hazards to Children
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer
Product Safety Commission, C&T International, Inc., Moonachie,
New Jersey, today announced it is voluntarily making available to
consumers a free modification kit for its mesh-sided playpen with
drop sides, model number 585, "Circus America." Some of the
playpens fail to warn users of a potential suffocation hazard if
an infant is left in the playpen with one of the sides down. All
of the playpens present a finger crushing hazard at two locations
in the drop side locking system. In addition, when the playpens
are folded for storage, it is possible for a child to remove the
plastic feet which may present a choking hazard.
The Commission is aware of a number of deaths and injuries
involving mesh-sided playpens with drop sides produced by firms
other than C&T. Eleven infants are known to have died when
left unattended in playpens with a drop side down. These
children suffocated when they rolled into a mesh pocket created
by the lowered drop side. The Commission is also aware of
several incidents in which children's fingers were crushed when
they attempted to climb into a playpen grasping the folded drop
side locking system. The playpens involved in these incidents
were not manufactured by C&T; however, some of the playpens
sold by C&T are similar to the playpens involved in the
incidents and present the same hazards.
The affected collapsible mesh-sided playpens may be
identified by a self-adhesive label on the floorboard which
states: Art. 585, CIRCUS AMERICA EX. The playpens measure 39 by
39 by 33 inches and contain a removable foam floor pad. The
product has four plastic rings about three inches in diameter on
the inside which can be used by a child to pull up on. Four
hinges made of plastic must be pushed up in order to fold the
playpen. The product, which is imported from Italy, retails for
about $89.99. The "Circus Polo" playpen model number 582 is not
affected by this action.
Approximately, 2,500 playpens have been distributed
nationwide since November 1984. Although some of the playpens
have the suffocation hazard warning label, all of the playpens
present a finger crushing hazard in the folded drop side locking
system and a choking hazard in the removable plastic feet.
C&T International will provide a free modification kit to
consumers who call l-800-537-1922. New Jersey residents call
201-896-2555. The kit contains a Safety Alert warning of the
potential suffocation hazard, plastic inserts to prevent the
possibility of finger crushing incidents in the folded drop side
locking system, and replacement plastic feet which can not be
removed by young children.
Children should never be left in playpens with the drop
sides down. Until owners receive and install the modification
kit, the plastic feet should be removed and discarded.