220,000 Medical King portable adult bed rails recalled after a death, marking 9th related recall in 3 years

More than 220,000 portable adult bed rails were recalled on Thursday after the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued an urgent warning after one death and serious injuries were reported.

Over the past three years, portable adult bed rails have been recalled eight other times after 17 reported deaths and serious injuries to the head, neck or chest from entrapment. The nine total recalls, and two additional product warnings, have impacted more than 3 million units.

The current recall is for bed rails manufactured by Medical King in Brooklyn, New York, after reports of entrapment and asphyxia hazards. The impacted model numbers are 7007, 7057 and 7037. One death was reported in connection with this recall, bringing the total number to 18.

CPSC said data shows that 92% of the deaths from portable bed rails come from entrapment, usually of the head or neck. 

MEDLINE RECALLS 1.5M ADULT BED RAILS AFTER 2 DEATHS

Portable bed rails provide assistance for adults who need help getting in and out of bed or repositioning while in bed. They also provide support when sleeping and are used in private homes and assisted living and care facilities.

"Those taking care of the elderly or individuals with mobility limitations or those with mental challenges shouldn’t have to worry that a critical piece of support equipment they rely on could lead to serious injuries or death," said CPSC Chair Alex Hoehn-Saric. "During National Care at Home Month, we want to encourage all caregivers — whether in private homes or in institutional settings — to ensure that the adult portable bed rails they use are installed correctly, used properly and have not been previously recalled."

In January 2023, CPSC issued new mandatory safety standards for portable adult bed rails, and all being sold and manufactured in the U.S. must comply with the current performance and testing requirements.

CPSC also has an "Adult Bed Rails Safety Education Center" on its website with various safety tips and information for families and caregivers.

The safety tips include:

• Making sure that the bed rail is not recalled and that it complies with the mandatory safety standard
• Preventing gaps between the bed rail and mattressBed rail should be pressed firmly against the side of the mattressRetention device (ex: strap) is properly installed and secured
• Bed rail should be pressed firmly against the side of the mattress
• Retention device (ex: strap) is properly installed and secured
• Preventing hazardous gaps between bed rail and surroundingsEnsuring at least a 12.5" gap between the bed rail and headboard/footboardKeeping furniture (nightstands, dressers, etc.) away from the bed railDo not install multiple bed rails next to each other
• Ensuring at least a 12.5" gap between the bed rail and headboard/footboard
• Keeping furniture (nightstands, dressers, etc.) away from the bed rail
• Do not install multiple bed rails next to each other
• Following all provided warnings and instructions for assembly, installation and useDo not climb or allow climbing over the bed railDo not modify the bed railMaking sure the bed rail is compatible with the bed/mattress
• Do not climb or allow climbing over the bed rail
• Do not modify the bed rail
• Making sure the bed rail is compatible with the bed/mattress
• Ensuring bed rails are appropriate for the situationThose with cognitive impairments should be carefully monitored
• Those with cognitive impairments should be carefully monitored

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Previous recalls and safety warnings included bed rails from Bed Handles, Drive DeVilbiss, Essential Medical Supply, Compass Health, Nova Medical Products, Mobility Transfer Systems, Platinum Health, BeyondMedShop, Medline and Ceither.

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