Seward Luggage Decorator Cubes
Check against the official notice below — it lists the full affected range.
Decorator Cube Safety Warning Reissued
Seward Luggage Company, Trojan Luggage, and Mercury Luggage Manufacturing Co. have reissued a safety warning about decorator cubes in response to two additional reported deaths. The warning applies to 16" X 16" X 16" cube-shaped trunks with hinged lids that were manufactured before June 30, 1990 and distributed nationally between 1987 and June 30, 1990 by retailers including Kmart and Walmart. A total of three deaths involving young children have been reported in connection with these cubes between February 1990 and October 1991. Children under age six are at greatest risk, as the hinged lids can cause strangulation if they fall on a child's neck while reaching into the trunk, and a child could also climb inside and suffocate if the lid closes.
To address the hazard, consumers can either remove the metal pins from the two hinges to make the lids removable, or keep the lids hinged and use lid spacer clamps that prevent the lid from slamming shut. According to the record, affected consumers should call 1-800-766-9417 to obtain free spacer clamps, warning labels, and information about removing hinge pins.
Written by software from the official notice below. Not reviewed by a lawyer.
Strangulation
OCTOBER 29, 1991 Release # 92-010 Decorator Cube Safety Warning Reissued WASHINGTON, DC -- As a result of two recently reported new deaths Seward Luggage Company of Petersburg, VA; Trojan Luggage of Memphis, TN; and Mercury Luggage Manufacturing Co. of Jacksonville, FL, in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), are issuing a second warning about a strangulation and suffocation hazard associated with decorator cubes with hinged lids. The warning applies to cubes manufactured before June 30, 1990. Decorator cubes manufactured after June 30, 1990 are designed differently with removable lids that address the risk. The first warning notice was issued jointly by CPSC and the firms on March 27, 1991 following the first reported death. These cubes are 16" X 16" X 16" cubed-shaped trunks with hinged lids decorated with various scenes and motifs. The decorator cubes may be used for storage and home furnishing. The cubes 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. In addition, a young child could climb into a cube, become trapped inside and suffocate if the lid shuts. CPSC and the firms are now aware of a total of three deaths involving young children allegedly associated with these cubes. These incidents occurred from February 1990 to October 1991. Approximately 2.2 million cubes were distributed nationally by retailers, including Kmart and Walmart, 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; or 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. CPSC urges consumers to 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
Official record: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission ↗
Republished from the official source above; details can change — the source record controls.