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CPSCGeneral Alert

Decorator Cube Safety Warning

Published: March 27, 1991Recall ID: 91054Category: generalCountry: US

Product Description & Identification

Decorator Cube Safety Warning NEWS from CPSC U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207 Note: Firm out of business. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Originally issued March 27, 1991; Revised July 10, 2001 (301) 504-7908 Release # 91-054 Decorator Cube Safety Warning WASHINGTON, DC -- In cooperation with U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, (CPSC), Seward Luggage Company of Petersburg, VA; Trojan Luggage of Memphis, TN; and Mercury Luggage Manufacturing Co. of Jacksonville, FL, today, issued a warning about a strangulation and suffocation hazard when decorator cubes with hinged lids manufactured prior to June 30, 1990 are used to store toys or children's belongings. These cubes, distributed nationwide during the past 2 1/2 years, are 16" X 16" X 16" cubed-shaped trunks with hinged lids decorated with various scenes and motifs. Decorator cubes manufactured after June 30, 1990 have removable lids. The decorator cubes may be appropriately used for storage and as a home furnishing. The cubes may present a strangulation hazard if the lid falls on the neck of a young child who is reaching into the trunk for a toy or other item. CPSC believes young children under the age of six years are at the greatest risk of injury. It was reported that a 14-month-old child died when a cube's lid allegedly fell on him. In addition, a young child could climb into a cube, become trapped inside and suffocate if the lid shuts. Approximately 2.2 million cubes have been distributed nationally by the three firms between 1987 and June 30, 1990. To prevent the possibility of strangulation or suffocation: Owners should remove the metal pin (used to hold the hinge together) from each of the two hinges, thereby making the lid removable. Owners of cubes who choose not to remove lids will be supplied with lid spacer clamps that will prevent the lid from slamming shut and a warning label to remind users of the potential hazards. Consumers should call 1-800-766-9417 to obtain free, easily installed spacer clamps, a warning label and further information if necessary, on the removal of the hinge pin. However, one of the firms, Seward Luggage Company, is out of business, so if the spacer clamps cannot be obtained for that firm's product, either remove the metal pin as described above, or discard or destroy the product.

Affected Products

Mercury Luggage décor cubes; Seward Luggage décor cubes; Trojan Luggage décor cubes

Additional Source Details

FieldValue
U R Lhttps://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/1991/Decorator-Cube-Safety-Warning
TitleDecorator Cube Safety Warning
Products › 1 › NameMercury Luggage décor cubes
Products › 2 › NameSeward Luggage décor cubes
Products › 3 › NameTrojan Luggage décor cubes
Products › 3 › TypeToy Chests/Trunks
Products › 3 › Category I D2189
Recall I D5073
Recall Date1991-03-27T00:00:00
DescriptionDecorator Cube Safety Warning NEWS from CPSC U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207 Note: Firm out of business. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Originally issued March 27, 1991; Revised July 10, 2001 (301) 504-7908 Release # 91-054 Decorator Cube Safety Warning WASHINGTON, DC -- In cooperation with U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, (CPSC), Seward Luggage Company of Petersburg, VA; Trojan Luggage of Memphis, TN; and Mercury Luggage Manufacturing Co. of Jacksonville, FL, today, issued a warning about a strangulation and suffocation hazard when decorator cubes with hinged lids manufactured prior to June 30, 1990 are used to store toys or children's belongings. These cubes, distributed nationwide during the past 2 1/2 years, are 16" X 16" X 16" cubed-shaped trunks with hinged lids decorated with various scenes and motifs. Decorator cubes manufactured after June 30, 1990 have removable lids. The decorator cubes may be appropriately used for storage and as a home furnishing. The cubes may present a strangulation hazard if the lid falls on the neck of a young child who is reaching into the trunk for a toy or other item. CPSC believes young children under the age of six years are at the greatest risk of injury. It was reported that a 14-month-old child died when a cube's lid allegedly fell on him. In addition, a young child could climb into a cube, become trapped inside and suffocate if the lid shuts. Approximately 2.2 million cubes have been distributed nationally by the three firms between 1987 and June 30, 1990. To prevent the possibility of strangulation or suffocation: Owners should remove the metal pin (used to hold the hinge together) from each of the two hinges, thereby making the lid removable. Owners of cubes who choose not to remove lids will be supplied with lid spacer clamps that will prevent the lid from slamming shut and a warning label to remind users of the potential hazards. Consumers should call 1-800-766-9417 to obtain free, easily installed spacer clamps, a warning label and further information if necessary, on the removal of the hinge pin. However, one of the firms, Seward Luggage Company, is out of business, so if the spacer clamps cannot be obtained for that firm's product, either remove the metal pin as described above, or discard or destroy the product.
Recall Number91054
Manufacturers › 1 › NameSeward Luggage
Manufacturers › 2 › NameTrojan Luggage
Manufacturers › 3 › NameMercury Luggage
Last Publish Date2015-01-30T00:00:00

Overview

  • Recalling FirmSeward Luggage, Trojan Luggage, Mercury Luggage
Official Agency Alert