Adult bed rails danger: Nearly 3 million of various brands recalled since late 2021

Since late 2021, nearly 3 million adult bed rails have been recalled because they can entrap and suffocate people. 

Sadly, at least 11 people have died in connection with various brands since December 2021. A total of 19 models under seven brands have been recalled. Anyone with any of the  recalled brands of bed rails should stop using them and contact the company for a refund or, in some cases, only a replacement or repair is offered.

In the latest recall, Medline International has recalled about 1.5 million adult portable bed rails because they pose the risk of entrapment and asphyxia, the Consumer Product Safety Commission announced.

Two people died in connection with two models of Medline’s Bed Assist Bar bed rails, according to the announcement, which was also posted on the Illinois-based company’s website. A 76-year-old woman at a nursing home in Iowa died in July 2019 and an 87-year-old woman died at a care facility in South Carolina in November 2023.

People using the bedrails can become trapped in the rail or between the rail and bed mattress, the announcement said. 

Medline sold about 1.5 million of the bed rails from July 2009 through March 2024. They cost $32 to $64. Consumers should contact the company for a refund. They were sold through Medline’s websites, online retailers including Amazon, CVS, Walgreens and Walmart  and online medical supply stores. They were manufactured in China.

This recall follows a reannouncement in April 2024 of another brand of adult bed rails after more people died following the initial recall. Essential Medical Supply of Florida reannounced a recall involving 272,000 Endurance hand bed rails. They were initially recalled in December 2021 after one person died in connection with the bed rail. 

Since then, two more people died: An 86-year-old man died at an assisted living facility in Connecticut In December 2022, and a 99-year-old man died at his home in California in August 2023. The CPSC and Essential Medical have urged people to check their homes and any assisted living facilities where loved ones live to see whether any of the hazardous, recalled products are in use.

The Endurance recall involves four models: the hand bed rail, the hand bed rail with pouch, the hand bed rail with floor support and the hand bed rail with floor support with pouch. Consumers should stop using the bed rails and contact Essential for a refund.

The other bed rails recalled in the last 2-½ years:

Feb. 23, 2023: Platinum Health of Florida recalls LumaRail adult portable bed rails.
53,000 units; three models.
One death reported. “In October 2021, an 81-year-old man at a nursing home in Pennsylvania died from positional asphyxia after becoming entrapped between his mattress and the bed rail,” the announcement said.
Sold online through Platinum Health’s website, PlatinumHealthLLC.com, and through online retailers including Amazon, Walmart, eBay and Overstock, and online medical supply stores including RehabMart and Fabrication Enterprises. They were sold from July 2015 through December 2022. Cost: $65 to $100.

March 9, 2023: BeyondMedShop of Texas recalls Vaunn Medical adult bed rails.
102,000 units; two models.
Sold online at BeyondMedShop.com, Amazon, eBay and Walmart from December 2018 through December 2022. Cost: $40 to $80.

Dec. 22, 2022: Nova Medical Products of California recalls adult bed rails.
20,000 units; two models.
Sold at AdaptHealth, Bellevue Healthcare, CareLinc Medical Equipment & Supply and San Diego Medical Supply, as well as medical supply stores nationwide from January 2019 through November 2022. Cost: $55 to $80.

Dec. 22, 2021: Compass Health Brands of Ohio recalls Carex adult portable bed rails.
104,900 units; two models.
Three deaths reported from April 2014 through June 2020: an 85-year-old man at an assisted living facility in Ohio; an 84-year-old woman at her home in California; and an 88-year-old woman at an assisted living facility in Washington.
Sold at medical supply stores nationwide and online at Amazon, Carex and Walmart from November 2012 through December 2021. Cost: $22 to $80.

Dec. 22, 2021: Essential Medical Supply recalls adult portable bed rails.
About 272,000 units; four models.
One death reported: An 86-year-old man at his home in California in December 2012.
Sold at medical supply stores nationwide and online at Amazon and Walmart from October 2006 through December 2021. Cost: $36 to $98.  

Dec. 6, 2021: Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare of New York recalls adult portable bed rails.
496,100 units (plus 68,000 units in Canada and 119 units in Mexico;) four models.
Two deaths reported: a 93-year-old woman at her home in California in February 2011, and a 92-year-old man at an assisted living facility in Canada in February 2015.
Sold at medical supply stores nationwide and online at Amazon and Walmart from October 2007 through December 2021. Cost: $30 to $80. 

WHERE’S MY MONEY?
Having difficulty getting a refund or resolution
for any recalled product?
File a complaint with the CPSC

HAVE A PROBLEM?
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STAY SAFE
To keyword search products with recalls or complaints, go to cpsc.gov/recalls and SaferProducts.gov