Safety regulator, Firms Announce Recall of Hand Trucks, Baby Walkers
Recall 01203 · Jul 20, 2001 · UnionTools, Inc.
32,000
units affected
32,000
units affected
Facts
- Recall number
- 01203
- Date
- Jul 20, 2001
- Company
- UnionTools, Inc.
- Units affected
- 32,000
- Product
- P-Handle Hand Trucks and Baby Walkers
- Product type
- Baby Walkers/Stationary Entertainers
- Hazard
- Falls
The product
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 can happen
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.
The fix
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.
Incidents and where it was sold
- Incidents
- 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.
- Sold at
- 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.
Related pages
Questions and answers
What should I do with the recalled p-handle hand trucks and baby walkers?
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.
What is the 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.
A recall means the maker found a safety problem and offers a free fix; it does not mean every unit has the problem. Units affected are as reported by the company. Popular models sell more and so have more recalls and complaints. Official public data; texts are shortened. Contact the company named above for the remedy.