Kmart desk chairs
CPSC Recall #95-102 — April 16, 1995
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 95-102 |
| Recall Date | April 16, 1995 |
| Remedy Type | Refund |
| Units Affected | 148,990 |
| Manufactured In | Taiwan |
Where It Was Sold
| Kmart sold the chair nationwide from July 1993 to March 1995 for $29.99 |
Product
Kmart desk chairs
Description
WASHINGTON, DC - CPSC, the Kmart Corporation of Troy, Mich., is recalling 148,990 desk chairs. The chair's seat post may unexpectedly separate from the pedestal base, causing someone sitting in the chair to fall. Consumers can identify the recalled chairs by Kmart product code 21-86-61, item code 010218661114, printed on the outside of the retail carton. The chairs do not have an item number printed on them. The chair, which Kmart sold nationwide from July 1993 to March 1995 for $29.99, was packaged unassembled in a cardboard box labeled in part "BASIC DESIGNS ADJUSTABLE OFFICE CHAIR *** MADE IN TAIWAN". The gray upholstered rotary desk chair has a non-tilt seat and fixed back. The seat is attached to a five-prong metal pedestal base by a one-inch wide steel rod. There are two wheel casters on each prong of the pedestal base. The Kmart Corporation reported this hazard to CPSC after receiving seven reports of the seat unexpectedly detaching from the pedestal base. Consumers who own these chairs should stop using them immediately and return the chairs to any K-mart store for a refund. Replacement chairs will be available after May 15, 1995. Consumers who need more information about this recall should contact any Kmart store.
Hazard
The chair's seat post may unexpectedly separate from the pedestal base, causing someone sitting in the chair to fall.
Incidents & Injuries
The Kmart Corporation reported this hazard to CPSC after receiving seven reports of the seat unexpectedly detaching from the pedestal base.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers who own these chairs should stop using them immediately and return the chairs to any K-mart store for a 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.
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.