TV/VCR carts
CPSC Recall #04-224 — September 27, 2004
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 04-224 |
| Recall Date | September 27, 2004 |
| Remedy Type | New Instructions, Repair |
| Units Affected | 300,000 |
| Manufacturer | Sauder Woodworking Co., of Archbold, Ohio |
| Manufactured In | United States |
Where It Was Sold
| Department |
| discount and home electronic stores nationwide sold the 3355 |
| 6355 and 7755 model from October 1991 through May 1999 for between $80 and $100. The 9855 and 9755 models were sold exclusively at Target stores. |
Product
TV/VCR carts
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Sauder Woodworking Co., of Archbold, Ohio is voluntarily recalling about 300,000 TV/VCR carts. The carts can tip over and the television can fall off, posing a risk of serious injury or death if the TV and cart fall on a child.Name of product: TV/VCR cartsUnits: 300,000Manufacturer: Sauder Woodworking Co., of Archbold, OhioHazard: The carts can tip over and the television can fall off, posing a risk of serious injury or death if the TV and cart fall on a child.Incidents/Injuries: Sauder Woodworking received one report of a cart tipping over, though no injuries have been reported.Description: The recalled TV/VCR carts are white, light brown and light reddish brown; have decorative hardware and trim; and are about 29 inches wide, 17 inches deep, and 25 inches high. The carts are equipped with a top shelf for a television 20 inches or smaller and a middle shelf for a VCR and a lower storage area. The recalled carts include models 3355, 6355, 7755, 9855 and 9755, which can be found on the instruction book that came with the cart.Sold at: Department, discount and home electronic stores nationwide sold the 3355, 6355 and 7755 model from October 1991 through May 1999 for between $80 and $100. The 9855 and 9755 models were sold exclusively at Target stores.Manufactured in: United StatesRemedy: Consumers should stop using the TV/VCR carts immediately and do the following:Remove the television and all contents.Turn the cart over and remove the four casters from the bottom of the cart. This will bring the tip-stability of the cart into compliance with the latest industry standards.Contact Sauder Woodworking Co. to receive a free retrofit kit and safe use information.When updated, this cart will be suitable for use with TVs weighing 50 pounds or less. This includes most TVs that are 20 inches or smaller.Consumer Contact: Consumers should contact Sauder Woodworking Co. toll-free at (888) 800-6315 between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. EST Monday through Friday, or visit the company's website at www.sauder.com, to receive a free repair kit.
Hazard
The carts can tip over and the television can fall off, posing a risk of serious injury or death if the TV and cart fall on a child.
Incidents & Injuries
Sauder Woodworking received one report of a cart tipping over, though no injuries have been reported.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should stop using the TV/VCR carts immediately and do the following:Remove the television and all contents.Turn the cart over and remove the four casters from the bottom of the cart. This will bring the tip-stability of the cart into compliance with the latest industry standards.Contact Sauder Woodworking Co. to receive a free retrofit kit and safe use information.When updated, this cart will be suitable for use with TVs weighing 50 pounds or less. This includes most TVs that are 20 inches or smaller.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a New Instructions, 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 (New Instructions, Repair) 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.