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Stairway gates

CPSC Recall #99-119a — June 2, 1999

Recall Summary

Recall Number99-119a
Recall DateJune 2, 1999
Remedy TypeRefund
Units AffectedAbout 3,200

Where It Was Sold

Ames
Ann & Hope
Hambleton & Carr
and Value City department stores nationwide sold the gates from March through April 1999 for about $15.

Product

Stairway gates

Description

PRODUCT: Stairway Gates - North States Industries Inc., of Minneapolis, Minn., is recalling about 3,200 stairway gates. The recalled gates are white plastic, measuring 26 inches high and can be used in openings from 26 inches to 41 inches wide. "INTENDED FOR USE WITH CHILDREN FROM 6 UP TO 24 MONTHS OF AGE...MMFG. ID NO. 8675...NORTH STATES'' is on a warning sticker on the side of the gates. Ames, Ann & Hope, Hambleton & Carr, and Value City department stores nationwide sold the gates from March through April 1999 for about $15. PROBLEM: The locking mechanism can release when the gate is shaken and the gate will no longer act as the barrier it is intended to be. If the gate is placed at the top of stairs and the lock fails, a child could fall down the stairs and be injured. INCIDENTS/INJURIES: North States Industries Inc. has received one report of a gate's locking mechanism failing. No injuries have been reported. WHAT TO DO: Consumers should stop using these gates immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a full refund. For additional information, consumers should call North States Industries Inc. at (800) 848-8421 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CDT Monday through Friday.

Hazard

The locking mechanism can release when the gate is shaken and the gate will no longer act as the barrier it is intended to be. If the gate is placed at the top of stairs and the lock fails, a child could fall down the stairs and be injured.

Incidents & Injuries

North States Industries Inc. has received one report of a gate's locking mechanism failing. No injuries have been reported.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should stop using these gates immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a full refund.

What Should You Do?

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