CPSC, Firms Announce Recall of Hand Trucks, Baby Walkers

Recalled July 20, 2001 · CPSC recall 01203 · Firms

Hazard

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. 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.

Remedy

Consumers should contact UnionTools, Inc. to receive a free repair kit. Consumers should only use a hand pump to inflate the tires. Consumers should stop using these baby walkers immediately and call SunTome Trading Corp. for instructions on returning the walkers for a refund and shipping costs.

Units

About 32,000 hand trucks and 600 baby walkers

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. None reported involving the baby walkers.

Description

The P-Handle 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. 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."

What to do

Contact

Consumers should contact UnionTools, Inc. at (888) 808-6657 between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday. Additional information may be obtained at www.uniontools.com and consumers should call SunTome Trading Corp. at (888) SUNTOME (786-8663) between 9:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. PT Monday through Friday.

Product

P-Handle Hand Trucks and Baby Walkers

Imported by

UnionTools, Inc., of Columbus, Ohio · SunTome Trading Corp., of Los Angeles, Calif.

Retailers

Sears stores exclusively sold these P-Handle hand trucks, from February 2001 through May 2001, for about $30. Independent discount stores located in California, Arizona and Texas sold these baby walkers, from January 1998 through July 2001, for between $18 and $22.

Made in

China · Taiwan

Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Official recall notice on cpsc.gov →