The Recall Desk
HighCPSC·12001·Announced 2011-10-04

Ballard Designs Recalls Stafford Step Stools Due to Fall Hazard

Ballard Designs is recalling about 2,500 Stafford step stools because plastic tabs on the feet make them unstable, posing a fall hazard.

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 risk-of-harm product (fall hazard) where minor injuries have been reported, fitting the High severity criteria for products with reported injuries but no severe harm or fatalities.

Plain-English summary

Ballard Designs is recalling approximately 2,500 "Stafford" step stools due to a fall hazard. The recalled stools are made of wood painted black or white and feature four plastic tabs affixed to the feet. These tabs can cause the stools to be unstable, posing a risk of falls to consumers.

The company has received six reports that the stools were not stable, including two reports of falls resulting in minor injuries. The stools were sold in Ballard Design stores in Florida, Georgia, and Ohio, through Ballard Designs catalogs, on www.ballarddesigns.com, and on www.hsn.com from July 2009 through May 2011 for about $80. The stools were manufactured in China.

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. Ballard Designs is directly contacting all known purchasers. For more information, consumers can contact Ballard Designs toll-free at (888) 606-2627 or visit the company's website.

The recalled product

Product
Ballard Designs "Stafford" step stools
Category
Consumer Product — Furniture
Hazard
Affected units
2,500

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Related recalls

Same hazard · fall

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