Today's Recall from China: The Kolcraft Play Yard

Washington, DCPrompted by the recent death of a 10-month-old child, 425,000 Chinese-made defective Kolcraft infant play yards have been voluntarily recalled by the manufacturer, in concert with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). These defects can cause serious harm, or even death to a child.

As outlined below in this report from LawyersandSettlements.com, a total of 12 different Kolcraft play yards are included in the recall, as they all feature raised change tables with a restraint strap, which forms a loop beneath the change table.

The defective strap poses a strangulation hazard for a child at play in the play yard. Sadly, this is exactly what happened to a 10-month-old boy who was strangled to death by the loop of a defective restraint strap hanging down from the change table, incorporated as part of the Kolcraft 'Sesame Beginnings' Travel Play Yard.

And there's more. If the restraining strap wasn't enough, one of the 12 defective play yards involved in the voluntary recall features a raised cradle, which rocks back and forth. It is feared that a child could quite easily roll and become trapped against the side of the cradle and suffocate. The specific product linked to this latter threat is the Contours 3-in-1 Play Yard.

So far there have been 45 reports of children rolling to the side while rocking in the cradle attachment. [LawyersandSettlements.com] is one of the first sources to bring you this important recall information, announced just today, concerning this latest defective product.

The play yards recalled were sold at retail stores nationwide from January 2001 through September of this year and came in a variety of colours and patterns. Model numbers are available at this [link].

Consumers will find the model number printed on a white sticker located on one of the feet of the play yard.

Owners of a recalled play yard are strongly advised to immediately stop using the unit. The manufacturer is inviting consumers to contact them for a non-looped replacement strap, which apparently will mitigate the safety risk regarding the change table, as well as a repair kit and instructions on how to secure the base of the cradle.

As a precaution, consumers are urged to physically remove, or cut the restraining strap from the change table. Consumers are also cautioned to remove the raised change table, and cradle or bassinet before placing a child in the play yard located directly below.

The Kolcraft 3-in-1 Play Yards were manufactured in China.