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"Karhu Meta Sweeper" and "Karhu Morph Sweeper" snowshoe bindings

CPSC Recall #03-080 — February 4, 2003

Recall Summary

Recall Number03-080
Recall DateFebruary 4, 2003
Remedy TypeRepair
Units AffectedAbout 420

Where It Was Sold

Skiboards.com website
LL Bean
Cabela's
Erehwon Mountain Outfitters
and Vail Bicycle stores sold these snowshoes nationwide during November 2002 for about $250.

Product

"Karhu Meta Sweeper" and "Karhu Morph Sweeper" snowshoe bindings

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Trak Inc., doing business as Karhu Inc., of Burlington, Vt., is voluntarily recalling about 420 snowshoe bindings. Screws and other hardware used to keep the bindings intact are too short, causing the binding to separate from the shoe. This poses a fall hazard to consumers.CPSC and Trak Inc. are not aware of any injuries involving these bindings. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury.This recall involves bindings sold on the "Karhu Meta Sweeper" and "Karhu Morph Sweeper" snowshoes. The orange, hybrid snowshoe Meta is 120 cm and has blue universal bindings. The blue Morph Sweeper is 130 cm with blue universal bindings. The snowshoes are high back, with a front toe strap and a pivot point.Skiboards.com website, LL Bean, Cabela's, Erehwon Mountain Outfitters, and Vail Bicycle stores sold these snowshoes nationwide during November 2002 for about $250.Consumers should immediately stop using these snowshoes and return them to the store where purchased for a free repair kit. For more information, consumers can contact Trak Inc. toll-free at (888) 288-2668 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm's website at www.karhu.com (note added 01/18/2005 - recall information is no longer on the firm's website).

Hazard

Screws and other hardware used to keep the bindings intact are too short, causing the binding to separate from the shoe. This poses a fall hazard to consumers.

Incidents & Injuries

CPSC and Trak Inc. are not aware of any injuries involving these bindings.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should immediately stop using these snowshoes and return them to the store where purchased for a free repair kit.

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.

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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 (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.

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