The Recall Desk
Our severity:SevereCPSC·01203·Announced 2001-07-20

UnionTools Recalls P-Handle Hand Trucks and Baby Walkers Due to Injury Risks

UnionTools is recalling P-Handle hand trucks and baby walkers because over-inflated tires can cause rims to separate and walkers can roll down stairs.

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 4/5 (Severe).

The hazard poses a serious risk of illness, injury, or structural failure. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves reported serious injuries (hand lacerations and bruises) from the hand trucks and a theoretical risk of serious injury or death from the baby walkers, meeting the criteria for significant injury reports.

Plain-English summary

UnionTools, Inc. is recalling approximately 32,000 P-Handle hand trucks and 600 baby walkers. The hand trucks are made of steel, painted red, and feature two inflatable tires. The baby walkers, model ST-108ST, are available in various colors and feature different activity trays. The hand trucks were sold exclusively at Sears stores from February 2001 through May 2001 for about $30. The baby walkers were sold at independent discount stores in California, Arizona, and Texas from January 1998 through July 2001 for between $18 and $22.

The recall was issued because the hand truck tires can separate from the rims if over-inflated beyond the recommended 30 P.S.I., potentially striking users or bystanders. UnionTools has received two reports of tire rims separating due to over-inflation, resulting in serious hand lacerations and bruises for two adult males. Additionally, the baby walkers are designed to fit through standard doorways but are not designed to stop at the edge of a step. Babies using these walkers could be seriously injured or killed if they fall down stairs. No injuries have been reported involving the baby walkers.

Consumers should stop using the baby walkers immediately and contact SunTome Trading Corp. at (888) 786-8663 for instructions on returning them for a refund and shipping costs. For the hand trucks, consumers should contact UnionTools, Inc. at (888) 808-6657 to receive a free repair kit. Consumers should only use a hand pump to inflate the tires.

The recalled product

Product
P-Handle Hand Trucks and Baby Walkers
Manufacturer
UnionTools, Inc., of Columbus, Ohio
Category
Consumer Product — Hand Trucks / Baby Walkers
Hazard
Affected units
32,000

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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