Recall: Company Will Replace Toddler-Bed Headboards

If your toddler was longing for a "big bed," you may have purchased a youth bed that uses a crib-size mattress, but resembles a full-sized twin bed. These brightly painted tubular steel beds, from various manufacturers, cost from $40 to about $100.

Frankly, they are a boon to the budget for Mom and Dad, who aren't quite ready to invest in full-size furniture for the 2 to 5-year-old set.

But one major manufacturer, Cosco Inc., has reported youngsters can get their heads caught between the arched steel tubes of the head and footboards, or between the arches and the mattress. The company knows of 50 youngsters whose heads became trapped. One child died.

That's why the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Cosco Inc. issued a recall recently. Approximately 155,000 beds are involved.

Cosco made two models, one with two arches - another with three arches - on the head and footboard. The beds came in red and white.

Cosco will supply a free new headboard and footboard if you have the model with five inches of space between the arches. If there are two inches of space between the arches, Cosco will send a free modification kit with another arching bar.

Call 1-800-468-0174 to ask for the appropriate modification parts.

Before calling Cosco's toll-free line, look for a white label on the mattress support. If it reads 10T22 or 10T23, note the date code and measure the distance between the arches.

Though the beds are designed for 2- and 3-year-olds, they probably can be used by some youngsters as old as 5 or 6.

The Cosco beds were sold by Toys "R" Us, Service Merchandise, Sears and Roebuck Co., Wal-Mart and other stores, from December 1990 through March 15, 1992.

Other manufacturers made similar beds, so our advice is to measure the spaces between the arches or bars, and gauge whether your toddler might become trapped.

We'll let you know if we get more information on this subject from the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

If you have information about unsafe products or product-related injuries, report them to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 1-800-638-2772. The teletypewriter for the hearing impaired is 1-800-638-8270.

BENEFITS FOR HIV-POSITIVE

The Social Security Administration has published a guide to disability benefits for those who are infected with the HIV virus.

Ask for SSA Publication No. 05-10020. For a copy, call 1-800-772-1213, or look for the address of the nearest Social Security Administration office in the blue section of the White Pages directory.

POWER COMPANY FESSES UP

F.R.Z., Kent: You complained that workers from Puget Sound Power & Light Co. trespassed and installed a pole on your property without permission.

Puget Power contended it was within a King County right-of-way, but you said otherwise, so the utility ordered a survey.

You are correct: Puget Power was on your property.

The pole will be moved to the county right-of way, says Roger Keyes, Puget Power's superintendent of operations for the south-central division.

Puget Power also will install a low, wildlife-friendly fence around the six to eight-foot swath where vegetation was cleared so it can grow back.

Since you are part of the state Department of Wildlife's "Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary" program, we can understand why you were unhappy at having the vegetation disturbed.

Keyes says another problem surfaced here. Puget Power was cited by the county for disturbing a sensitive area, and told to halt work. That's why the utility hasn't installed the fence around the area yet.

Keyes was apologetic because he says Puget Power has adopted the "Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary" as one of its goals.

Another fact surfaced during this snafu. The previous owners of your property granted Puget Power an easement in 1959. Strange that information didn't show on a title search before you bought the property.

You would be doing any future owners a favor if you keep that record in a file with the deed and other paperwork.

You realize that once an easement has been granted, it's a done deal. A utility doesn't have to renegotiate each time property ownership changes.

THESE FIRMS ARBITRATE

The Better Business Bureau serving King, Island, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish and Whatcom counties has printed a directory of members, and indicates which ones are precommitted to arbitration of disputes with consumers.

The 30-page directory includes an alphabetical list of members and information about the Americans with Disabilities Act, BBB membership standards, a map and phone numbers for bureaus serving all of Washington state, a list of BBB Tel Tips tapes and other details.

For a copy, send $2 to the Better Business Bureau, 828 Denny Bldg., 2200 Sixth Ave., Seattle 98121.

Emilie Adams, president/chief executive officer of the bureau, wants to know if consumers find inaccurate information in the directory, or wish to report negative information about businesses that are members.

Did you know that the BBB also gives consumers a free list of a particular category, say roofers, who are its members? It's true. Call 448-8888, or write the bureau.

Member lists of contractors, dry cleaners, retail stores, employment services and carpeting companies also are available.

Shelby Gilje's Troubleshooter column appears Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday in the Scene section of The Times.