Finnish manufacturers await safety agency guidance after fatal daycare bed accident

Finnish manufacturers of fold-away crib beds are waiting for official recommendations from the Safety Investigation Authority (Otkes) following the death of a two-year-old child in a Vantaa daycare centre, Yle reports.

The child died after becoming trapped between a fold-away crib and a wall at a daycare facility in Vantaa’s Myyrmäki district two weeks ago. Otkes has warned of a serious accident risk linked to such beds, noting that a gap of 15–17 centimetres can form between the bed and the wall when the bed is raised or lowered—a space where a small child could become trapped.

At least six companies produce fold-away cribs in Finland, though the exact number in use nationwide is unknown. Vantaa city officials report over 12,000 such beds in its daycare centres.

Manufacturers review safety but await official findings
Nokian Vaneritarvike, one of the producers, stated it has no record of accidents involving its beds. “We have not identified a similar risk mechanism in our products,” CEO Mika Laine told Yle, adding that the company continuously monitors product safety and will assess further action once Otkes releases its findings.

Niemen Tehtaat, another manufacturer, is also waiting for the authority’s report. “The accident did not involve our product,” CEO Panu Niemi confirmed.

Kuopion Woodi, one of Finland’s largest producers, examined its beds immediately after the incident. “We checked for risks like jamming,” said customer director Titta Airaksinen. While the company’s beds include safety features—such as a high-mounted lock and a horizontal guardrail to prevent slipping—it has updated its guidelines to recommend keeping children away when opening or closing the beds.

Otkes has not disclosed which manufacturer’s bed was involved in the accident. Police are investigating the case under the charge of manslaughter, with one individual currently under suspicion.