Child trapped in fold-away cot at Vantaa daycare prompts national safety warning

A child was seriously injured after being crushed between a fold-away cot and a wall at a daycare centre in Vantaa, Finland, prompting safety authorities to issue a national warning about the risks of such beds, reports Finnish public broadcaster Yle.

The incident occurred at Kelokuusi daycare in the Myyrmäki district on Tuesday, when staff failed to notice the child in the cot before raising it against the wall. The child was resuscitated at the scene before being transported by ambulance and medical helicopter for emergency treatment.

Finland’s Safety Investigation Authority (Otkes) has now filed a formal hazard notice with the Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes) and the Permit and Supervision Authority (LVV), stating that wall-mounted fold-away cots in daycare settings pose a “serious accident risk” to small children. The warning was also directed to municipal early childhood education providers.

During its preliminary investigation, Otkes found that similar near-misses involving fold-away cots had occurred previously in Finnish daycare centres. While inspecting the cot mechanism at Kelokuusi, no technical fault was detected, but investigators noted that existing safety protocols—such as ensuring no children are present when cots are folded—had not been followed.

Vantaa, which operates around 130 municipal daycare centres where fold-away cots are common, has ordered an immediate review of all such beds. Deputy Mayor Katri Kalske told Yle that the city will assess risks and reinforce safety procedures. The Eastern Uusimaa police have launched a preliminary investigation into the incident, currently classified as aggravated assault causing bodily harm, though charges may be adjusted as the probe continues.

Daycare staff acted quickly, calling emergency services as soon as the child was found, according to police. The city has also provided crisis support to employees involved. Otkes’s investigation remains ongoing, with no confirmed national count of how many fold-away cots are in use across Finland.