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"Fun Buckets"

CPSC Recall #03-084 — February 19, 2003

Recall Summary

Recall Number03-084
Recall DateFebruary 19, 2003
Remedy TypeRefund, Replace
Units AffectedAbout 1,400

Where It Was Sold

Distributors of backyard play sets nationwide sold the fun buckets from February 1998 through February 2003 for about $25.

Product

"Fun Buckets"

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Playnation Play Systems of Kennesaw, Ga., is voluntarily recalling about 1,400 "Fun Buckets," a vinyl bucket attached to a rope used to lift small items up to backyard play sets' forts. As children play on the play set's slide or platform, the 6- to 8-ft free-hanging rope can become entangled around the child's neck. This presents a strangulation hazard to young children.Playnation is aware of two incidents where the bucket's rope became entangled around the necks of two 4-year-olds. Both of the children were freed without injury. However, CPSC knows of 135 children who have died in the last 10 years from all types of ropes, leashes or jump ropes that were attached to backyard play sets.This recall involves "Fun Buckets" sold as an add-on option for backyard play sets. The 14-inch-deep buckets are either yellow or green vinyl and have a black nylon strap attached to the rope. The "Fun Bucket" was sold with a heavy wood bracket to attach it to the roof of a play set fort.Distributors of backyard play sets nationwide sold the fun buckets from February 1998 through February 2003 for about $25.Consumers should take down the "Fun Buckets" immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a refund or a credit toward another product. For more information, consumers can contact Playnation at (770) 792-9300 between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's website at www.playset.com (note added 01/18/2005 - recall information is no longer on the firm's website).CPSC warns consumers never to allow free-hanging ropes on play sets because of the serious potential for strangulation to children. Any free-hanging rope should be taken down immediately. Consumers should contact CPSC about any such items purchased from a retailer.

Hazard

As children play on the play set's slide or platform, the 6- to 8-ft free-hanging rope can become entangled around the child's neck. This presents a strangulation hazard to young children.

Incidents & Injuries

Playnation is aware of two incidents where the bucket's rope became entangled around the necks of two 4-year-olds. Both of the children were freed without injury. However, CPSC knows of 135 children who have died in the last 10 years from all types of ropes, leashes or jump ropes that were attached to backyard play sets.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should take down the "Fun Buckets" immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a refund or a credit toward another product.

What Should You Do?

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