In a news release Tuesday, Target Corporation announced, in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, that the Minneapolis, Minn.-based retailer is expanding its recall of faulty step stools with storage.
The expanded recall affects 341,000 step stools (206,000 stools were affected by the original recall). Subject to recall are wooden step stools with two risers and storage space in either the top or bottom step. The stools can collapse or break apart under weight, posing a fall risk to users.
Twenty-seven reports of breaking or collapse have been received by Target, including reports of injuries. Two adults suffered fractured wrists, and one of those two also suffered a fractured hip and her pelvis. Another adult and six children suffered scrapes and bruises.
Two brands are included in the step stool recall: Circo and Do Your Room. The bottom step of the Circo stool has a lid that lifts, offering storage space and comes in white, natural, and natural and red. The The Do Your Room step stool has a lid on the top step that lifts to provide storage and comes in natural, honey, white, pink, and blue.
The steps were sold from January 2007 through October 2010 exclusively at Target stores nationwide and online at Target.com for between $25 and $30. Anyone who owns one of the recalled stools is urged to stop using it immediately. The stools may be returned to any Target store for a full refund.
I hope that no one else has been injured through the use of the faulty step stools and that the people who were injured experienced a quick recovery. As a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer, I encourage anyone in possession of one of the recalled stools to stay safe by ceasing to use it.