Target Expands Recall of Step Stools with Storage Due to Fall Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Step Stools with Storage

Units: About 341,000 (206,000 were recalled on August 4, 2011)

Importer: Target Corporation, of Minneapolis, Minn.

Hazard: The wooden step stools can break apart or collapse under the weight of the user, posing a fall hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: Target has received 27 reports of the stools breaking or collapsing. Fourteen incidents involved children, eight involved adults, and five incidents where the user's age was unknown. Two adults fractured their wrists, and of those victims, one also fractured her hip and pelvis. Additionally, six children and one adult suffered scrapes and bruising.

Description: The wooden step stool has two steps and comes in various colors, including natural, natural and red, white, pink, blue and honey. The Circo step stool has a lid on the bottom step that lifts to provide storage. The Do Your Room (DYR) step stool has a lid on the top step that lifts to provide storage. The step stools measure approximately 13" H x 13 5/8" W x 14 1/8" D. The Circo brand name or DYR brand name and UPC numbers are printed on a label found underneath the step stool. The following step stools are included in this recall:

Step Stools With Storage Brand Name Style Description UPC Number Selling Period Circo White step stool w/storage 490970403046 or
180970208597 June 2009-Feb 2010
Feb. 2010-Oct 2010 Circo Natural step stool w/storage 490970403053 or
180970208610 June 2009-Feb 2010
Feb. 2010-Oct 2010 Circo Natural & red step stool w/storage 490970403060 or
180970208665 June 2009-Feb 2010
Feb. 2010-Oct 2010 Do Your Room (DYR) Natural step stool w/storage 097168014338 Jan. 2007-Aug. 2009 Do Your Room (DYR) Honey step stool w/storage 390970402622 Jan. 2007-Aug. 2009 Do Your Room (DYR) White 859090000076 or
490970401394 Jan. 2007-Aug. 2009 Do Your Room (DYR) Pink 801116004445 Jan. 2007-Aug. 2009 Do Your Room (DYR) Blue 801116004438 Jan. 2007-Aug. 2009

Sold exclusively at: Target stores nationwide and online at Target.com from January 2007 through October 2010 for between $25 and $30.

Manufactured in: China, Vietnam, Taiwan and Thailand

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the step stools and return them to any Target store to receive a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Target at (800) 440-0680 between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's website at www.target.com

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The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about your experience with the product on www.saferproducts.gov

CPSC is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of the thousands of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $900 billion annually. CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals - contributed to a decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.

Under federal law, it is illegal to attempt to sell or resell this or any other recalled product.

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, go online to: www.saferproducts.gov, call CPSC's Hotline at (800) 638-2772 or teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270 for the hearing impaired. Consumers can obtain this news release and product safety information at www.cpsc.gov. To join a free e-mail subscription list, please go to https://www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx.

SOURCE: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission