fall hazard -

A Hayward, California-based company is recalling 92 shower stools because of an issue that could compromise safety.  Importer Taymor Industries announced the recall, which affects teak shower stools with a model number of 02D8092 that were sold online and in a Hammacher Schlemmer New York City store.  The stools’ wooden seats are in danger of breaking, potentially causing the person sitting on the unit to sustain fall-related injuries.  11 instances of breakage have been reported, but none of those reportedly led the user to sustain an injury.  Owners are being advised to cease usage and send one leg of the stools in a prepaid mailer to Hammacher Schlemmer.  The company will use that leg as a proof of purchase and issue a refund and gift certificate to the consumer.

For more about the recall, click here.

The Bloomington, Minnesota-based Salsa Cycles has announced the recall of 1,700 Salsa Vaya and La Cruz bike forks made of chromoly steel that were sold either by themselves or as a component of Salsa Vaya frames and bikes.  Available across the country between February 2011 and June of last year, the forks are in danger of bending, potentially causing the person riding the bike to sustain a fall.  Eight bending incidents have been reported at this time, but thankfully, none of those led to an injury.  Owners should refrain from riding bikes containing the forks; instead, they can get in touch with a dealer to obtain a free inspection and repairs.

For more about the recall, click here.

The High Point, North Carolina-based Lea Industries has announced the recall of 34 types of beds from the Lea children’s collection.  Each of the affected models would have been sold online and across the country between August 2008 and this past March.  At issue is the fact that breaking is a possibility in the side mattress support rails, and thus a person on the bed could fall.  22 instances of a break have been reported at this time, including one in which a bunk bed broke and fell onto a six year old girl, causing facial injuries.  Owners of the estimated 59,200 beds available in the United States are being advised to disallow their kids from sleeping in the beds until new components can be obtained for free from Lea.

Click here for more about the recall.

Just under 1,000 Bicycle Forks under the Surly Pugsley brand have been recalled by the Bloomington, Minnesota-based Surly Bikes.  Each of the affected bike forks would have been available online and across the country between May of last year and this past February.  By themselves, they cost $100, but if attached to a bike, said bike could cost around $1,750.  In the area atop the disc brake mount, bending could occur and lead a cyclist to be thrust from the bike.  One incident without injury has been reported.  Owners are being asked not to use any bikes containing these forks.  Instead, a dealer that can offer a free inspection and repairs should be sought.

Click here for more about the recall.

Huffy Slider Tricycles that were only sold at Toys R Us have been recalled by the Centerville, Ohio-based Huffy Corporation.  These 20 inch tricycles could suffer from a defect wherein the handlebars can become loose while the rider is navigating, and thus that child could find themselves being unable to turn properly.  The kid could then crash or fall off the trike.  5,040 tricycles could potentially face this issue, and each was available during the first two months of this year.  Huffy will provide a refund to all who contact them, and in the meantime, kids should not be allowed to ride the tricycle.

Follow this link for more about the recall.

Dynacraft BSC, a company based in the California city of American Canyon, has announced the recall of Urban Shredder Ride-On Toys emblazoned with Hot Wheels imagery.  The products were available across the country from this past November to February at Walmart, Toys R Us, and Target, as well as online from those same outlets and Amazon.  These ride-on toys are reportedly in danger of taking off without warning while a child stands atop the device.  This leaves the user susceptible to a fall.  17 incidents have been made known to the company, although thankfully, none of those resulted in an injury.  Owners of the 8,900 or so Urban Shredders should take out the battery and bring the device back for a refund.

For more about the recall, follow this link.

As we age, common hazards scattered throughout the home that we never thought about before begin to showcase their ability to cause an injury.  What used to not seem like a big deal can be the impetus for a serious calamity that requires extensive medical care.  To make sure that your home doesn’t pose any unnecessary risks, a new report offers some important tips.

The entire house should be clear of the sorts of things that could cause somebody to trip and suffer an injury.  Cords of all types should be pushed toward the walls and away from walking lanes, and you should seriously consider whether it might be time to get rid of throw rugs.  If you want to hold onto such things, use double-sided tape to prevent bunching that can easily lead to tripping.  And place furniture in a place where it won’t trip up anyone.

Especial attention should be paid to stairways.  Homeowners can invest in rubber treads that can prevent a person from slipping and falling down the stairs.  An individual concerned about tripping should keep ahold of the handrail at all times, and preparations should also be made to increase lighting along the stairs.

Nonslip rubber isn’t only a good idea on the stairs, it’s a good idea in the shower.  This, combined with a grab bar, enables one to reduce the chances of falling drastically.  A night light should be placed in the bathroom for those times when you have to enter in the middle of the night, and the path from your bed to the bathroom should be clear.

Safety should extend to the environment immediately surrounding your house.  The walkup to the front door should be well-lit, either with a light that activates when motion is detected or a bulb that’s on a timer.  And the address should be easily discernible so that rescue workers arriving on scene during an emergency can spot the right residence.  When it comes to your yard, keep it free of debris like branches and stones, especially along paths leading to and around the doors of the home.  If one has to take stairs to get to either your back or front door, have bulbs that light the way or reflective tape that clearly outlines the shape of the stairs.

Finally, take additional precautions in the kitchen, as that room holds more hazards than perhaps anywhere else in the house.  Any surface that food is prepped needs to receive adequate lighting, as being able to distinctly see what you’re doing cuts down on the risk that you’ll lacerate or burn yourself.  And instead of placing knives haphazardly in a drawer, invest in a knife block so that you’re less likely to cut yourself when you reach for the utensil.

A company based in the California city of Santa Maria is recalling an estimated 13,500 shoes because of their potential instability.  The recall, which was issued by Impo International LLC, pertains to four inch high heeled shoes available exclusively from White House | Black Market this past August through October.  Lourdes and Versailles shoes are those affected by the recall, which was announced once it was discovered that the heels might not provide adequate stability, leading the person wearing them to suddenly fall.  No instances of such have been reported yet.  To ensure yours isn’t the first, you can bring the shoes back to White House | Black Market for store credit.

Follow this link for more about the recall.

The threat of a fall has led to the recall of a series of step stools.  The defect has already caused its share of incidents and injuries, so consumers across the country should take note and react accordingly.

The Kansas City, Missouri-based Cramer LLC announced the recall, which pertains to Task It 1-UP folding step stools.  These plastic items have legs which lift the step stool to nearly one foot off the ground.  Around 6,500 step stools are being recalled in total, and each was available online or in various office supply retail outlets throughout the entirety of last year.  They cost from $30 to $40.

At issue is the fact that cracks can form in these stools.  If the crack becomes wide enough, a step stool can break completely and collapse while a user is standing atop it.  This could obviously lead the person to fall and sustain an injury.  At this point, 14 people have already reported an incident, and two of those occurrences led the individual to sustain pain in the area of their back, neck, and head.

Owners should not use these step stools.  Instead, they are being advised to get in touch with Cramer directly.  The company has vowed to give all affected individuals a replacement item at no cost.

In May of last year, around 92,000 Sportspower BouncePro trampolines that contained brown tetlon netting were recalled because of the fall hazard posed to children.  Now, that recall has been expanded to include an additional 28,000 units with black netting.  As before, the netting around these 14-foot wide units is in danger of breaking, which could lead a child to fall and sustain an injury.  Since the first recall, nine further incident reports have come to Sportspower’s attention, and five of those led to broken bones and other injuries.  Sold only at Walmart between February 2009 and March 2011, the trampolines should not be used until a replacement net can be obtained from the company.

For more about the recall, follow this link.