Swing sets
CPSC Recall #10-755 — August 31, 2010
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 10-755 |
| Recall Date | August 31, 2010 |
| Remedy Type | Repair |
| Units Affected | About 700 |
| Manufacturer | Kompan Inc., of Tacoma, Wash.(from January 1998 through December 2003); and BigToys Inc., of Olympia, Wash.(from January 2004 through December 2008) |
| Manufactured In | United States |
Where It Was Sold
| Kompan |
| Inc. from January 1998 to December 31 |
| 2008 for about $700-$3250. The units were sold to customers through third-party sales representatives throughout the United States. Third-party sales representatives are individuals and companies who market and sell Kompan playground equipment business to business. |
Product
Swing sets
Description
The following product safety recall was voluntarily conducted by the firm in cooperation with the CPSC. Consumers should stop using the product immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.Name of Product: Swing setsUnits: About 700Manufacturers: Kompan Inc., of Tacoma, Wash.(from January 1998 through December 2003); and BigToys Inc., of Olympia, Wash.(from January 2004 through December 2008).Hazard: The joint connection between the horizontal top beam and the vertical end bracket and support post system can crack and break, posing a fall and impact hazard to users.Incidents/Injuries: Kompan received 19 reports from BigToys of swings that have had the end brackets replaced due to both actual or potential for cracking or breakage at the joint of the top beam and the support posts. The firm has received three reports of minor injuries to users, however the firm has been unable to verify the cause or nature of these injuries.Description: The recalled swing sets include the "To Fro" models listed below with any numbers in the series of model number codes listed. For example, for the first entry, S1-8, all single bay, 8 foot swings beginning with the model number S1-8 would be included in the recall. Kompan has not manufactured the swing since December 31, 2003 and has not sold it since December 31, 2008.Swing DescriptionModel NumberSingle bay, 8 foot swingS1-8X-XXSingle bay, 10 foot swingS1-10X-XX2 bay, 8 foot swingS2-8X-XX2 bay, 10 foot swingS2-10X-XX3 bay, 8 foot swingS3-8X-XX3 bay, 10 foot swingS3-10X-XX4 bay, 8 foot swingS4-8X-XX4 bay, 10 foot swingS4-10X-XX5 bay, 8 foot swingS5-8X-XX5 bay, 10 foot swingS5-10X-XXSold by: Kompan, Inc. from January 1998 to December 31, 2008 for about $700-$3250. The units were sold to customers through third-party sales representatives throughout the United States. Third-party sales representatives are individuals and companies who market and sell Kompan playground equipment business to business.Manufactured in: United StatesRemedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled swing sets and remove the chains connecting the seats to the top beam. A retrofit kit will be provided to all affected customers with installation instructions. Kompan is contacting swing owners directly by telephone and mail to advise them to stop using the swing, remove the chains connecting the seats to the top beam and advising customers that retrofit kits will be delivered with installation instructions. Kompan will follow up by telephone and email after the retrofits are delivered to confirm installation by customers.Consumer Contact: For additional information, please contact Kompan representative Joedi Rice at (800) 624-4869 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, visit the firm's website at www.kompan.com, or email the firm at [email protected].
Hazard
The joint connection between the horizontal top beam and the vertical end bracket and support post system can crack and break, posing a fall and impact hazard to users.
Incidents & Injuries
Kompan received 19 reports from BigToys of swings that have had the end brackets replaced due to both actual or potential for cracking or breakage at the joint of the top beam and the support posts. The firm has received three reports of minor injuries to users, however the firm has been unable to verify the cause or nature of these injuries.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled swing sets and remove the chains connecting the seats to the top beam. A retrofit kit will be provided to all affected customers with installation instructions. Kompan is contacting swing owners directly by telephone and mail to advise them to stop using the swing, remove the chains connecting the seats to the top beam and advising customers that retrofit kits will be delivered with installation instructions. Kompan will follow up by telephone and email after the retrofits are delivered to confirm installation by customers.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Repair at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly — either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Repair) at no cost to you.
Furniture tip-overs are a leading cause of pediatric injuries in the U.S., particularly dressers, bookcases, and television stands. CPSC data shows that a child dies approximately every two weeks from a furniture or TV tip-over. Unstable high chairs, baby swings, and bouncers are also frequent recall subjects due to fall risks. ASTM International standards now require that certain furniture must meet tip-over resistance standards, and CPSC has been actively pursuing mandatory requirements for dressers and chests. If you have furniture that was not recalled but feels unstable, wall-anchoring kits are widely available at hardware stores.
In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.
If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney — parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.