"Windsor" dinette chair

CPSC Recall #04-575 — August 17, 2004

Recall Summary

Recall Number04-575
Recall DateAugust 17, 2004
Remedy TypeReplace
Units AffectedAbout 380
ManufacturerAmerican Signature Inc., of Columbus, Ohio
ImporterAmerican Signature Inc., of Columbus, Ohio
Manufactured InUnited States

Where It Was Sold

American Signature Home and Value City Furniture stores in the Midwest and South during the month of April 2004 for about $70 a pair.

Product

"Windsor" dinette chair

Description

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), American signature Inc., of Columbus, Ohio is voluntarily recalling about 380 "Windsor" dinette chairs. The stretch bar which connects to the chair's legs can detach during normal use, causing the user to fall and suffer injuries.Name of product: "Windsor" dinette chairUnits: About 380Manufacturer/Importer: American Signature Inc., of Columbus, OhioHazard: The stretch bar which connects to the chair's legs can detach during normal use, causing the user to fall and suffer injuries.INCIDENTS/INJURIES: American Signature has received two reports of chairs collapsing, including one report of a consumer who fell and bruised her legs.Description: This recall involves "Windsor" style arm chairs. The chairs measure 40-inches high by 21-inches wide. Made of black wood, the chairs have 9 metal spindles across the rounded back.Sold at: American Signature Home and Value City Furniture stores in the Midwest and South during the month of April 2004 for about $70 a pair.Manufactured In: United StatesRemedy: Consumers should contact the store where the chairs were purchased to arrange for a pickup of the original chair in exchange for a replacement chair.Consumer Contact: For more information, consumers should contact the store manager of their local American Signature or Value City Furniture store.

Hazard

The stretch bar which connects to the chair's legs can detach during normal use, causing the user to fall and suffer injuries.

Incidents & Injuries

American Signature has received two reports of chairs collapsing, including one report of a consumer who fell and bruised her legs.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should contact the store where the chairs were purchased to arrange for a pickup of the original chair in exchange for a replacement chair.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Replace 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 (Replace) 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.