Circus America Playpens Modification by C&T International

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