Carolina Enterprises Recalls Empire Super Slide Ladders Due to Entrapment Risk

Plain-English summary

Carolina Enterprises, Inc. is conducting a voluntary replacement program for approximately 100,000 Empire Super Slide ladders, Item #9005. The recall was initiated in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) due to a safety hazard where the heads of small children may become entrapped between the ladder rungs. The Commission is aware of one instance where a child's head became trapped between the top step and the platform, though no injury occurred.

The affected slides consist of a plastic red sliding board with a yellow ladder and were sold unassembled. The name "Empire" appears at the foot of the sliding board. These units were produced from 1980 until June 1982, when a design change was made. Ladders manufactured since June 1982 are not subject to the recall and can be identified by a pre-formed plastic piece attached to the underside of each rung and a blue color.

The recalled ladders were sold for approximately $30.00 by numerous retail stores nationwide, including Toys "R" Us, K Mart, Woolworth/Woolco, and J.C. Penney. J.C. Penney has already notified its customers by direct mail and completed its replacement program. Consumers owning affected slides should discontinue use of the ladder and call Empire toll-free at 800-334-5666 for a free replacement ladder or write to Carolina Enterprises, P.O. Box 427, Tarboro, North Carolina 27866.

The recalled product

Product

Slide Ladders Recalled by Carolina Enterprises

Manufacturer

Toys R Us

Category

Consumer Product — Playground Equipment

Hazard

• entrapment

Distribution

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