Big Foot Series and Lite Foot Series hunting tree stands

CPSC Recall #04-173 — July 5, 2004

Recall Summary

Recall Number04-173
Recall DateJuly 5, 2004
Remedy TypeReplace
Units AffectedAbout 78,000
ManufacturerRivers Edge/Ardisam, Inc., of Cumberland, Wis.
Manufactured InUnited States

Where It Was Sold

Hunting stores and catalogs nationwide beginning in January 1998 for between $60 and $120. The tree stands were manufactured from January 1998 through July 2001.

Product

Big Foot Series and Lite Foot Series hunting tree stands

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Rivers Edge/Ardisam, Inc., of Cumberland, Wis. is voluntarily recalling about 78,000 Big Foot Series and Lite Foot Series hunting tree stands. If the strap mounting bracket loosens or rotates, the strap hook can release, causing the tree stand to detach from the tree. If this occurs, the consumer could fall to the ground.Name of product: Big Foot Series and Lite Foot Series hunting tree standsUnits: About 78,000Manufacturer: Rivers Edge/Ardisam, Inc., of Cumberland, Wis.Hazard: If the strap mounting bracket loosens or rotates, the strap hook can release, causing the tree stand to detach from the tree. If this occurs, the consumer could fall to the ground.Incidents/Injuries: Rivers Edge/Ardisam, Inc. has received three reports of consumers falling when their stands detached. Two of these consumers reportedly suffered serious injuries, including broken bones.Description: The recalled Big Foot and Lite Foot Series hunting tree stands are "hang-on" stands that can be identified by a yellow warning label affixed to the stand that reads: "Rivers Edge Hunting Products." These tree stands have dual post seat uprights and a gold-colored strap hook bracket. Only these model tree stands with the gold-colored bracket are included in this recall.Sold in: Hunting stores and catalogs nationwide beginning in January 1998 for between $60 and $120. The tree stands were manufactured from January 1998 through July 2001.Manufactured in: U.S.A.Remedy: Consumers should contact Rivers Edge/Ardisam, Inc. to receive free replacement hardware for self-installation.Consumer Contact: Call Rivers Edge/Ardisam, Inc. at (800) 204-7435 or visit their website at www.ardisam.com.

Hazard

If the strap mounting bracket loosens or rotates, the strap hook can release, causing the tree stand to detach from the tree. If this occurs, the consumer could fall to the ground.

Incidents & Injuries

Rivers Edge/Ardisam, Inc. has received three reports of consumers falling when their stands detached. Two of these consumers reportedly suffered serious injuries, including broken bones.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should contact Rivers Edge/Ardisam, Inc. to receive free replacement hardware for self-installation.

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.