The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has urged consumers to stop using the Asteroid and Comet models of bunk beds.
"The bunk beds are manufactured by Hercules Iron Pty Ltd and have been supplied between September 2005 and October 2007 to a large number of retailers in all States and Territories, except Western Australia," ACCC Chairman, Mr Graeme Samuel, said today.
The bunk beds are constructed of tubular metal with a ladder at each end. The Asteroid bunk bed has a single bed top and bottom and the Comet bunk bed has a single bed on top and double bed at the bottom level.
"Testing of the bunks has revealed there is a risk the top bunk may collapse if minimal pressure is applied to the side guard rail. The impact of the top bunk falling on a person on the lower level may cause severe or life threatening injuries. A person on the top bunk at the time of a collapse also risks serious injury.
"Hercules Iron has admitted the bunk beds do not meet certain requirements of the mandatory consumer product safety standard for bunk beds which is administered by the ACCC. The mandatory standard is based on AS/NZS 4220:1994 Australian New Zealand Standard Bunk Beds and includes a requirement for guardrails and specifies measurements for gaps and protrusions that could be entrapment or strangulation hazards.
"The ACCC urges consumers who have purchased either the Asteroid or Comet bunk bed to stop using it immediately and contact the retailer from whom they purchased the bed or Hercules Iron on (03) 9357 8062 for further information including advice regarding repair, exchange or refund."