Child's storage rack recalled after death of 8-month-old

A colorful children's storage rack sold at Wal-Mart and Ollie's was recalled today by the manufacturer, Jetmax International, after the death of an 8-month-old boy who was asphyxiated after he pulled on the storage rack and it fell over on him. The top rail landed on the infant’s neck. No other incidents have been reported.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission said 36,000 racks have been recalled. They were sold nationwide at Wal-Mart stores from August 2004 through July 2005 and at Ollie’s stores from July 2006 through June 2007 for about $40. At Wal-Mart, the racks were sold under the name “Home Trend Kids 9 Canvas Bin Boy’s and Girl’s Organizers.” The wooden rack has three levels and nine removable canvas totes. There are wooden handles on each side of the rack. The rack for boys is natural color wood with red, yellow, green, and navy canvas totes. The girl’s storage rack is white colored wood with pink, yellow, lime, and purple canvas totes.

Child fatalities associated with furniture stability are continuing to increase, says Don Mays, Senior Director of Product Safety Planning at Consumers Union. "The current industry safety standard for furniture tip-over is weak and doesn’t address storage racks in its scope," he says. Consumers Union has been pushing hard for the past 2-1/2 years to strengthen the industry standard, but it may take legislation to get the job done.

The CPSC said consumers should immediately stop children from using the recalled racks and contact Jetmax International to receive a free repair kit that adds stability to the base at (800) 689-2168 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT. Or visit the firm’s Web site at www.jlwoodenmfg.com, or email info@jlwoodenmfg.com. On its Web site, Jetmax promises the repair kit will be delivered in two to three weeks.