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West Marine Inflator Pumps

CPSC Recall #07-140 — March 27, 2007

Recall Summary

Recall Number07-140
Recall DateMarch 27, 2007
Remedy TypeRefund
Units AffectedAbout 1,400
ImporterStearns Inc., of St. Cloud, Minn. (Note: The original importer Sevylor Inc., was recently acquired by Stearns Inc.)
Manufactured InChina

Where It Was Sold

West Marine and BoatU.S. stores and through direct sales nationwide from August 2003 through January 2007 for about $60.

Product

West Marine Inflator Pumps

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Stearns Inc., of St. Cloud, Minn., is voluntarily recalling about 1,400 West Marine Inflator Pumps. The inflator pumps can explode during use, ejecting sharp plastic parts and posing a serious laceration hazard to consumers.Name of product: West Marine Inflator PumpsUnits: About 1,400Importer: Stearns Inc., of St. Cloud, Minn. (Note: The original importer Sevylor Inc., was recently acquired by Stearns Inc.)Hazard: The inflator pumps can explode during use, ejecting sharp plastic parts and posing a serious laceration hazard to consumers.Incidents/Injuries: Stearns has received three reports of pumps exploding. One consumer reported lacerations and two fractured ribs. Two other consumers received minor lacerations to the face and chest.Description: The recalled inflator pump has a blue body with a black handle, hose, and pressure gage. The pump is 5-inches (12.7 cm) high and weighs about 3 pounds. West Marine is printed on a white sticker on the top of the pump housing. A second label contains a "caution" statement along with Ho Lee Co., Ltd. and UL listing information. The manufacturer's model number HB-183BG and the date code 1203 are also on the label.Sold at: West Marine and BoatU.S. stores and through direct sales nationwide from August 2003 through January 2007 for about $60.Manufactured in: ChinaRemedy: Consumers are asked to return their inflator pump to nearest West Marine or BoatU.S. store for a full refund.Consumer Contact: For more information consumers can contact West Marine or BoatU.S. at (800) 262-8464 anytime or visit the firm's Web site at www.westmarine.com.

Hazard

The inflator pumps can explode during use, ejecting sharp plastic parts and posing a serious laceration hazard to consumers.

Incidents & Injuries

Stearns has received three reports of pumps exploding. One consumer reported lacerations and two fractured ribs. Two other consumers received minor lacerations to the face and chest.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers are asked to return their inflator pump to nearest West Marine or BoatU.S. store for a full refund.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Refund at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.

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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 (Refund) at no cost to you.

Yes. If you were injured by a defective consumer product — whether recalled or not — you may have grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer and potentially the retailer. A recall notice can serve as evidence that the manufacturer was aware of the defect. Injuries that may support a claim include burns, lacerations, fractures, electric shock, choking incidents, and chemical exposure. Most product liability attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless you win. Consult an attorney promptly, as statutes of limitation vary by state.

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.

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