The Recall Desk
HighCPSC·01211·Announced 2001-07-31

Safety 1st Recalls Cabinet and Drawer Spring Latches Due to Choking Hazard

Safety 1st is recalling approximately 1.7 million cabinet and drawer spring latches because broken springs can pose a choking hazard to young children.

What this means for you

Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a choking hazard for young children and reports of minor injuries, fitting the High severity criteria for risk-of-harm products where serious injury or death has not been reported.

Plain-English summary

Safety 1st, of Canton, Mass., is recalling approximately 1.7 million Safety 1st Cabinet and Drawer Spring Latches. The latches are made of white plastic with a metal spring that holds the latch closed. On the recalled units, the straight ends of the metal springs are uncovered, whereas replacement latches feature a plastic tab over the spring. The product was sold in packages of three or four latches from January 1993 through December 1999 at toy, hardware, and department stores nationwide for about $7.

The recall is being issued because if the safety latch breaks, a small spring could be released. Young children could choke on the small spring or gain access to cabinets or drawers containing dangerous items. CPSC and Safety 1st are aware of 27 incidents involving these latches breaking. Two injuries have been reported: a 13-month-old girl suffered a minor abrasion inside her mouth after placing a broken spring in her mouth, and a 2-year-old girl suffered chemical burns to her throat after gaining access to a bathroom cabinet and spraying tile cleaner into her mouth.

Consumers should contact Safety 1st immediately for free replacement latches. For more information, call Safety 1st at (800) 366-1282 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit www.safety1st.com.

The recalled product

Product
Safety 1st Cabinet and Drawer Spring Latches
Manufacturer
Safety 1st, of Canton, Mass.
Category
Consumer Product — Child Safety
Hazard

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Related recalls

Same hazard · choking

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