The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with AOSOM LLC, has announced a voluntary recall of four models of the Tualatin, OR-based company's wooden playpens which are made from pine.

According to the CPSC, the wooden playpen can split and/or crack at the areas where screws and other hardware are located. The small, broken wood pieces, as well as the hardware from the playpen, can pose a risk of choking and laceration hazards to children. In addition, if it becomes unstable, the playpen can fall over, posing an entrapment hazard to the child. 

AOSOM said it has received 69 reports of the wooden playpens breaking, splitting and/or cracking, including one report of a child mouthing a piece of the broken wood and three reports of children found with a broken piece of wood and/or screw in their hand. The objects were removed without injury.

Approximately 5,000 playpens, which were manufactured in China, are affected by the recall.The four models are: AOSOM 3in1 Baby wooden Superyard Playpen Combo 5664-0017S&G ($149.99);  AOSOM Baby 8 Panel Wooden Playpen Room Divider 5664-0017 ($119.99); AOSOM Baby 8 Sided Wooden Playpen 2 Panels 5664-0017S ($29.99); and AOSOM Baby 8 Sided Wooden Playpen Gate 5664-0017G ($29.99). The playpens were sold online through AOSOM.com, Amazon.com, eBay.com and other online retailers from October 2008 through November 2010.

AOSOM requests that consumers  immediately stop using the wooden playpens and contact the company for instructions on how to return the product and receive a full refund. Call  toll-free at (877) 644-9366 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or e-mail AOSOM at [email protected]. Consumers can also visit the firm's website at www.aosom.com

Posted by Karen Koenig