Stainless steel tool chests
CPSC Recall #14-729 — April 10, 2014
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 14-729 |
| Recall Date | April 10, 2014 |
| Remedy Type | Repair |
| Units Affected | About 20,000 |
| Manufactured In | China |
Where It Was Sold
| Costco Wholesale Corp. from March 2010 through October 2013 for between $500 and $550. |
Product
Stainless steel tool chests
Description
Injuries, including cuts requiring stitches, have been reported with the recalled 72-inch tool chests.
Hazard
The inside of the right door has a metal stopper or flange with a sharp edge running the length of the door, which poses a laceration hazard.
Incidents & Injuries
Whalen has received 11 reports of injuries, including nine reports of minor cuts caused by the sharp-edged flange and two reports of cuts requiring stitches.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should immediately stop using the product and contact Whalen for a free repair kit that includes a protective cover for the flange. Whalen is contacting all purchasers directly.
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.
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.
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.