Urgent Warning Issued on Adult Portable Bed Rails Following 18 Suffocation Deaths Since 2021

On a recent Thursday, there was an urgent alert from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) regarding portable adult bed rails. These devices have been linked to the suffocation deaths of 18 individuals since the year 2021. This alarming revelation coincided with the ninth recall of portable bed rails within a span of three years. Medical King, a company based in Brooklyn, New York, is now recalling approximately 220,000 adult portable bed rails, citing risks of entrapment and asphyxia. The recall was prompted by the tragic death of a 66-year-old man who became trapped between a bed rail and a mattress in a residential care facility in South Carolina this past November.

Safety Concerns and Recall

The recalled models are part of Medical King's Bed Assist Rail line, specifically the ones with adjustable heights (model numbers 7007 and 7057) and the Bed Assist Rail Without Legs (model number 7037). These products were sold online for around $40 on platforms such as Amazon.com, eBay, Kohls.com, medicalkingusa.com, and Target Plus from January 2020 to March 2024. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) published an image of the recalled Bed Assist Rail with Adjustable Heights (model 7057) to aid in identification.

Consumers who purchased these products, which are manufactured in China, are urged to cease their use immediately and reach out to Medical King for either a repair kit or a replacement bed rail, depending on the specific model in their possession. For assistance, customers can contact Medical King at 888-334-1142 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday. To request a repair kit, individuals can visit this link or the main website (https://medicalkingusa.com) and click on "Register Here."

Impact of Recalls and Deaths

The current recall marks the ninth issued by the CPSC within the last three years, with a total impact on over 3 million units. These recalls and two product warnings have been linked to serious injuries from head, neck, or chest entrapment and, tragically, the 18 reported fatalities. According to CPSC data, a staggering 92% of fatalities associated with adult portable bed rails are due to entrapment, typically involving the head or neck. These statistics highlight the critical need for heightened awareness and compliance with safety standards.

New Safety Standards in Place

In response to the growing concerns, the CPSC introduced new mandatory safety standards for adult portable bed rails in January 2023. These standards aim to prevent further incidents and enhance the safety of such devices. The marketing of these products as safety devices to assist frail or sick individuals, particularly the elderly or disabled, requires strict adherence to safety regulations. However, the tragic incidents resulting from the use of these devices have underscored the need for rigorous oversight and compliance with safety measures.