Kmart Recalling Plastic Resin Patio Chairs

WASHINGTON, DC - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Kmart Corporation, Troy MI, is voluntarily recalling white, plastic resin patio chairs that have the potential to collapse. Kmart reported the problem to CPSC after receiving complaints from consumers.

When used aggressively or by a person who weighs more than 200 pounds, the chair may collapse. The firm is aware of at least 43 incidents of chair failure. Reported injuries have been described as bruises to the back, leg, arm, and head.

The chairs are white, molded plastic resin patio chairs that have the word "Suncraft" stamped on the underside of the seat. The chairs were manufactured by Taiwan Lounge Chair Industry Co., Ltd., Taiwan. Kmart imported approximately 101,300 chairs from Taiwan and sold approximately 78,000 of them as part of a nine piece "Moroccan Sand" patio set. The chairs were sold at Kmart retail stores from December 1990 through the summer of 1991.

Kmart is offering replacement model chairs to consumers who have the recalled chairs. Consumers should return the recalled chairs to any Kmart store to receive replacement model chairs.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is announcing this recall as part of its mission to protect the public from unreasonable risks of injury and death associated with consumer products. The Commission's objective is to help reduce the estimated 28.5 million injuries and 21,600 deaths that are associated each year with the 15,000 different types of consumer products under CPSC's jurisdiction.