Recall: Ballard Designs Recalls Step Stools Due to Fall Hazard

Ballard Designs Recalls Step Stools Due to Fall Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Ballard Designs "Stafford" step stools

Units: About 2,500

Distributor/Retailer: Ballard Designs, Inc. of Atlanta, Ga.

Hazard: Plastic tabs on the feet of the step stools can cause the stools to be unstable, posing a fall hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Ballard Designs has received six reports that the stools were not stable, including two reports of falls resulting in minor injuries.

Description: This recall involves Ballard Designs "Stafford" step stools made of wood painted black or white. "Ballard Designs" is printed on a sticker under the bottom of the step. "Made in China" is printed on the underside bottom of the step stools. Also printed on the underside bottom of the step stools is one of the following five numbers: 100097963, 100099019, 100097230, 100100584 or 100102942. All recalled stools also have four plastic tabs affixed to the feet of the step stool.

Sold at: Ballard Design stores in Florida, Georgia and Ohio, through Ballard Designs catalogs, on www.ballarddesigns.com and www.hsn.com from July 2009 through May 2011 for about $80.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately remove the four plastic tabs from the feet of their step stools. Instructions are available online at www.ballarddesigns.com under the Product Safety page or by contacting Ballard Designs at the number below. Ballard Designs is directly contacting all known purchasers.

Consumer Contact: For more information, contact Ballard Designs toll-free at (888) 606-2627 between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. ET Monday through Friday and between 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. ET Saturday and Sunday or visit the firm's website at www.ballarddesigns.com

Tab on bottom of step stool