The Recall Desk
CriticalCPSC·96130·Announced 1996-05-30

Golden Chair and Allen Manufacturing Recall Recliner Chairs for Strangulation Risk

Golden Chair and Allen Manufacturing are recalling approximately 142,000 recliner chairs because the gap between the seat and footrest can trap children's heads, posing a strangulation hazard.

What this means for you

Highest-severity recall. Risk of serious injury or death is documented or strongly suspected. Stop using the product now and follow the agency's instructions.

Our severity reasoning: The source text explicitly states that two children have died in similar incidents, which triggers the Critical severity score (5) according to the rubric criterion for known fatalities.

Plain-English summary

Golden Chair and Allen Manufacturing are recalling approximately 142,000 recliner chairs in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The recall involves Golden Chair recliners, which are upholstered in beige, blue, brown, or mauve fabric, and Allen Manufacturing recliners, which are upholstered in fabric and vinyl in various colors. The specific hazard is that the space between the chair's seat and footrest measures more than five inches wide, allowing small children to get their heads caught and potentially strangle if they lean forward.

Since 1990, two children have died and two others nearly strangled in recliners with similar spacing issues, although CPSC is not aware of injuries involving the specific recliners made by Golden Chair or Allen Manufacturing. The furniture industry guidelines established in 1988 specify that openings between the upholstered seat and leg rest should measure five inches or less; the recalled chairs do not meet these guidelines. Golden Chair recliners were sold nationwide from January 1987 to December 1995, while Allen Manufacturing recliners were sold nationwide from January 1988 to December 1995.

Consumers should measure the space between the seat and footrest. If the opening is greater than five inches, they should stop using the chair immediately. Owners of Golden Chair recliners should call (800) 965-1277, and owners of Allen Manufacturing recliners should call (888) 338-0550. The companies will send a free crossbar to attach between the seat and footrest to reduce the space and prevent injuries. Consumers should have measurements of the opening width and the distance between the fastening mechanism ready before calling.

The recalled product

Product
Allen Manufacturing recliner chairs
Manufacturer
Golden Chair
Category
Consumer Product — Furniture
Hazard

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Related recalls

Same hazard · strangulation

See all →