In the United States, a product can be recalled when a large quantity of the units produced are deemed dangerous for consumers. Recalls can be issued by the product manufacturer or by the government. When the government recalls a product, they do it through the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which is an independent agency of the government that seeks to promote the safety of consumer products by addressing unreasonable risks of injury, developing uniform safety standards, and conducting research into product-related illness and injury.
Once a product is recalled, the manufacturer or government will notify those who purchased the product on what they should do. Usually, it is recommended that the consumer throws the product away, returns the product for a replacement, or returns the product to be repaired.
Any item produced for sale to consumers can be recalled, but commonly recalled products include:
- Medical supplies
- Medication
- Cosmetics
- Food
- Toys
- Mechanical parts
Below are three products recalled in May of 2021.
- Scott Fetzer Consumer Brands Multi-Use Water Pumps
On May 5, 2021, Scott Fetzer Consumer Brands recalled 42,000 units of its WAYNE WaterBUG GLOW Multi-use Submersible Water Removal Pumps due to fire and shock hazards. If water gets into the electrical circuit board, it can short circuit, posing fire, burn, and electrical shock hazard. The recall includes the WAYNE WaterBUG GLOW model WWB Glow 1/6 Multi-Use Pump units with SKU number 57732-WYN1. The pumps were sold at Home Depot stores nationwide and online through homedepot.com and The Home Depot Pro through wilmar.com from July 2019 through March 2021. Owners of this pump should immediately cease use and contact Scott Fetzer Consumer Brands for a free replacement. To date, 28 reports of the circuit board malfunctioning have been received, including two reports of burn injuries.
- Kolcraft Inclined Sleeper Accessory
On May 5, 2021, Kolcraft Enterprises recalled 51,000 units of the inclined sleeper accessory included with the Kolcraft Cuddle ‘n Care 2-in-1 Bassinet & Incline Sleepers and Preferred Position 2-in-1 Bassinet & Incline Sleepers due to a risk of suffocation. Infant fatalities have been reported with other manufacturers’ inclined sleep products after the infant rolled from their back to their stomach or side, or other circumstances. The recall includes the inclined sleeper accessory sold with the Kolcraft Cuddle ‘n Care 2-in-1 Bassinet & Incline Sleeper and the Kolcraft Preferred Position 2-in-1 Bassinet & Incline Sleeper. The products were sold at juvenile product stores and mass merchandisers nationwide from March 2011 through December 2017. Consumers should stop using the recalled incline sleeper accessory and contact Kolcraft for a $35 voucher to be used on their website or a $20 refund. Kolcraft is contacting all registered owners by mail. Consumers can continue to use the bassinet without the inclined sleeper accessory. To date, no incidents or injuries have been reported.
- TJX Outdoor Wooden Folding Chairs
On May 5, 2021, The TJX Companies recalled 92,000 units of its outdoor wooden folding chairs due to a fall and injury hazard. The chairs can break which poses a fall and injury hazard to the user. The recalled chairs are outdoor wooden folding chairs with armrests with an oil stain finish. Some of the chairs were labeled with Nautica on the tag. The chairs were sold at T.J. Maxx, HomeGoods, and Marshalls stores nationwide and online at tjmaxx.com from June 2018 to January 2021. Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled chairs and contact TJX for instructions on how to participate in the recall and obtain a refund. Consumers can also return the chairs to any T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, or HomeGoods for a full refund. To date, TJX has received 18 reports of the chairs breaking or collapsing including 15 reports of falls that resulted in minor injuries.
Thanks to Eglet Adams and their product defect lawyers for providing insight on recalled products in May 2021.
