June 12, 2001
Burger King Corporation, of Miami, Fla., and
its franchisees today announce a voluntary safety program to replace the nets
on its enclosed indoor and outdoor play structures throughout the United States
with no-climb nets. BURGER KINGŪ restaurants will install "no-climb"
nets from the floor up to 7 feet to prevent children climbing into areas not
meant for play.
Burger King Corporation is taking this action following the death of a
4-year-old boy who was playing in a net-enclosed play structure in a St. Louis,
Mo. Burger KingŪ restaurant on April 29, 2001. The boy gained access to an area
of the enclosed playground not intended for play, became entrapped between
parts of the structure, and died.
The "no-climb" nets, which have holes that are about one-quarter
inch, will be installed on the sides of the play structures that are accessible
to children. "No-climb" nets will replace box-type nets, which have
two-inch square holes. The smaller holes in the "no-climb" netting
prevent children from climbing the nets.
Of the approximately 3200 Burger KingŪ playgrounds, only those playgrounds that
do not have "no-climb" netting around the entrance and exit tubes,
and do not have ceiling nets or other barriers to prevent access into non-play
areas, will be temporarily closed until "no-climb" netting is
installed.
The Burger KingŪ net-enclosed play structures keep children within the play
area, and use nets, sliding and crawling tubes and other soft, flexible
materials. The enclosed play structure at the Burger King( restaurant in St.
Louis, Mo. was manufactured by Atrox Systems Inc. Atrox, which ceased
operations in 1997, distributed products under the brand name of Tenderfun Soft
Playgrounds. Burger King Media Contact: Kim Miller (305) 378-7277