ProCourt Portable Basketball System
CPSC Recall #97-115 — April 29, 1997
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 97-115 |
| Recall Date | April 29, 1997 |
| Remedy Type | Replace |
| Units Affected | Over 29,800 |
| Manufacturer | Lifetime Products |
Where It Was Sold
| Major discount |
| department |
| and sport stores nationwide sold these basketball systems from January 1997 through April 1997 for about $99. |
Product
ProCourt Portable Basketball System
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Lifetime Products Inc. of Clearfield, Utah, is recalling over 29,800 ProCourt portable basketball systems. The basketball system's base can develop a leak, allowing the water used to stabilize the system to leak out. As a result, the basketball system can fall over, presenting a risk of injury to the consumer.Lifetime Products has received 21 reports of bases leaking. The basketball systems did not fall over and no injuries have been reported. The ProCourt portable basketball system has a 3-inch telescopic adjustable metal pole, a 44-inch acrylic backboard, a black metal rim with a white net, and a 26-gallon black polyethylene base with wheels. The portable basketball system is designed for residential use and can be moved to a driveway or patio surface for play. The base should be filled with water for stability. If the system is moved only occasionally, the base can be filled with sand. When filled with sand, the base does not leak.ProCourt portable basketball systems being recalled have a number 4 on the bottom of the base and date codes from 970101 through 970873 stamped on the bottom of the horizontal plate attaching the rim to the pole.Major discount, department, and sport stores nationwide sold these basketball systems from January 1997 through April 1997 for about $99.Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled ProCourt portable basketball systems and call Lifetime Products at (800) 225-3865 for a free replacement base with installation instructions. Lifetime Products will also provide a free net to consumers with the recalled basketball systems.
Hazard
The basketball system's base can develop a leak, allowing the water used to stabilize the system to leak out. As a result, the basketball system can fall over, presenting a risk of injury to the consumer.
Incidents & Injuries
Lifetime Products has received 21 reports of bases leaking. The basketball systems did not fall over and no injuries have been reported.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled ProCourt portable basketball systems and call Lifetime Products at (800) 225-3865 for a free replacement base with installation instructions. Lifetime Products will also provide a free net to consumers with the recalled basketball systems.
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.