| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 20, 2001 Release # 01-203 |
CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: Nychelle Fleming, (301) 504-7063 |
CPSC, Firms Announce Recall of Hand Trucks, Baby Walkers
The following product safety recalls were conducted by firms in cooperation with the CPSC:PRODUCT: Hand Trucks - UnionTools, Inc., of Columbus, Ohio is voluntarily recalling about 32,000 P-Handle hand trucks. The hand trucks are made of steel and painted red with two inflatable tires. "China" is stamped across the back crossbar of the handle and "Made in China" appears on the tires. Sears stores exclusively sold these hand trucks from February 2001 through May 2001 for about $30.
PROBLEM: If the tires of the hand trucks are substantially over-inflated beyond the recommended maximum 30 P.S.I., the rims of the tire can separate under the intense pressure and strike the user or bystanders.
INCIDENTS/INJURIES: UnionTools has received two reports of the tire rims separating due to over inflation of tires. Two adult males received serious hand lacerations and bruises as a result of the tire rims blowing apart.
WHAT TO DO: Consumers should contact UnionTools, Inc. at (888) 808-6657 between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday to receive a free repair kit. Consumers should only use a hand pump to inflate the tires. Additional information may be obtained at www.uniontools.com
PRODUCT: Baby Walkers - SunTome Trading Corp., of Los Angeles, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 600 baby walkers. The baby walker is model number ST-108ST, which is written on the box. "Q BABY" is written on a label on the front of the walker and "MADE IN TAIWAN" is written on a tag on the back of the seat. They are light and dark blue, pink, green, purple and white. They have one of three types of activity trays: "Finger Power Training" features a phone and steering wheel; "Music & Light" features a side-view mirror and plane toy; and "Train Engine" plays four animal sounds and four songs. The walkers are packaged in a box labeled in part, "BABY HAND'S," and "COMFORTABLE PAD MADE OF TC CLOTH, WITH FRONT AND BACK GUARD." Independent discount stores located in California, Arizona and Texas sold these baby walkers from January 1998 through July 2001 for between $18 and $22.
PROBLEM: The walkers will fit through a standard doorway and are not designed to stop at the edge of a step. Babies using these walkers could be seriously injured or killed if they fall down stairs.
INCIDENTS/INJURIES: None reported.
WHAT TO DO: Consumers should stop using these baby walkers immediately and call the firm for instructions on returning the walkers for a refund and shipping costs. For more information, consumers should call SunTome Trading Corp. at (888) SUNTOME (786-8663) between 9:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. PT Monday through Friday. This recall came to CPSC's attention as a result of routine import dock surveillance activities in cooperation with the U.S. Customs Service.
