The First Years American Red Cross Cabinet Swing Locks
CPSC Recall #11-056 - December 1, 2010
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 11-056 |
| Recall Date | December 1, 2010 |
| Remedy Type | Dispose, Replace |
| Units Affected | About 41,300 |
| Importer | Learning Curve Brands Inc. d/b/a The First Years, of Oak Brook, Ill. |
| Manufactured In | China |
Where It Was Sold
| Toys R Us |
| Babies R Us and other retail stores nationwide and on the Internet from September 2008 through September 2010 for about $4 per pair. |
Product
The First Years American Red Cross Cabinet Swing Locks
Description
This recall involves The First Years American Red Cross cabinet swing locks with item number Y7181. The latches are mounted on cabinets or drawers to help prevent young children from gaining access and were sold two per blister card. An America Red Cross logo and "cabinet swing lock" is printed on the package. "American Red Cross" is molded onto the front of the lock. A date code is printed on the bottom of the back of the package and on the back side of each latch just above the connection point.
Hazard
The installed latches can break and children could gain access to contents of a cabinet, posing the risk of exposure to hazardous items.
Incidents & Injuries
The First Years has received seven reports of latches breaking. No injuries have been reported.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should immediately remove the latches from cabinets, record the date code on the back of each latch and contact The First Years to obtain a $5 coupon toward the purchase of another Learning Curve product. When removing the latches, consumers should take special care to store hazardous items out of reach of children.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Dispose, 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 (Dispose, Replace) 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.