WASHINGTON, D.C. –  The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced today that it has recalled more than 200,000 adult portable bed rails manufactured by Medical King, of Brooklyn, New York, due to entrapment and asphyxia hazards. Today’s announcement is the 9th recall of adult portable bed rails CPSC has issued since 2021. In total these recalls, along with two product warnings,* impacted more than 3 million units and are associated with serious injuries from head, neck, or chest entrapment and 18 reported deaths.

Adult portable bed rails are an important device used in assisted or residential care settings and private homes to help prevent falls or injuries for individuals with physical or mental limitations.  They help individuals in standing or positioning on a bed, to assist mobility or to provide support when sleeping.

There are risks involved in using adult portable bed rails, however, including injuries from falls or entrapment, or death by asphyxiation. CPSC data show that 92% of fatalities associated with adult portable bed rails are from entrapment usually of the head or neck.

In January 2023, CPSC took steps to address this hazard by issuing new mandatory safety standards for adult portable bed rails.  CPSC’s rule builds on a voluntary industry standard and establishes requirements to reduce the risk of entrapment and other hazards associated with the use of adult portable bed rails.  All APBRs sold in the United States and manufactured after the effective date must comply with the standard’s performance and testing requirements.   

“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.”

CPSC offers the following safety tips for consumers purchasing or using adult portable bed rails.  This and more information can be found on CPSC’s Adult Bed Rails Safety Education Center.

• Make sure that your bedrail is not recalled by checking cpsc.gov/Recalls, and that it complies with the mandatory safety standard
• Prevent gaps between bed rail and mattress
  • Make sure that bed rail is pressed firmly against the side of the mattress
  • Make sure that the retention device (ex: strap) is properly installed and secured
• Prevent hazardous gaps between bed rail and surroundings
  • Make sure that there is at least a 12.5” gap between the bed rail and headboard/footboard
  • Keep furniture (nightstands, dressers, etc.) away from bed rail
  • Do not install multiple bed rails next to each other
• Read and follow all the provided warnings and instructions for assembly, installation, and use
  • Do not climb or allow climbing over the bed rail
  • Do not modify the bed rail
  • Make sure the bed rail is compatible with your bed/mattress
• Consider whether adult portable bedrails are an appropriate support for the situation.**
  • Carefully monitor those who may be at risk for entrapment, such as those with cognitive impairment.