Walk-Through Railing Ladder Extensions

CPSC Recall #06-549 — May 9, 2006

Recall Summary

Recall Number06-549
Recall DateMay 9, 2006
Remedy TypeRepair
Units AffectedAbout 750
Manufactured InUnited States

Where It Was Sold

Hardware supply stores
catalogs
and the American Innovations Corp. Web site nationwide from September 2004 through February 2006 for between $325 and $380.

Product

Walk-Through Railing Ladder Extensions

Description

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), American Innovations Corp., of Long Lake, Minn., is voluntarily recalling about 750 Walk-Through Railing Ladder Extensions. If the knob securing the extension unit to the ladder is not tight, it can detach and fall when the ladder is being removed or lowered. The unit could hit a bystander, causing serious head injuries.Name of Product: Walk-Through Railing Ladder ExtensionsUnits: About 750Distributor: American Innovations Corp., of Long Lake, Minn.Hazard: If the knob securing the extension unit to the ladder is not tight, it can detach and fall when the ladder is being removed or lowered. The unit could hit a bystander, causing serious head injuries.Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received one report of an extension falling off a ladder. No injuries have been reported.Description: The Ladder Walk-Through Railing Extensions fit over extension ladder rails and provide handholds for safe passage while moving to a platform or rooftop.Sold by: Hardware supply stores, catalogs, and the American Innovations Corp. Web site nationwide from September 2004 through February 2006 for between $325 and $380.Manufactured In: United StatesRemedy: Owners are being sent a free repair kit, including a safety strap and easy-to-follow assembly instructions. Until the repair is made, consumers should check to make sure the knob securing the extension unit is tight during use.Consumer Contact: For more information, contact American Innovations toll-free at (888) 912-9888 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.ladderinnovations.com. 

Hazard

If the knob securing the extension unit to the ladder is not tight, it can detach and fall when the ladder is being removed or lowered. The unit could hit a bystander, causing serious head injuries.

Incidents & Injuries

The firm has received one report of an extension falling off a ladder. No injuries have been reported.

Remedy Instructions

Owners are being sent a free repair kit, including a safety strap and easy-to-follow assembly instructions. Until the repair is made, consumers should check to make sure the knob securing the extension unit is tight during use.

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.