Recall of the Week: Wooden step stools with storage sold by Target due to fall hazard

By Rita R. Robison

Target Corp. is recalling about 206,000 wooden step stools with storage.

The wooden step stools can break apart or collapse under the weight of the user, posing a fall hazard.

Target has received 26 reports of the stools breaking or collapsing, the company and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said in a statement. Fourteen incidents involved children, seven involved adults, and five incidents where the user’s age was unknown. Two adults fractured their wrists, and of those victims, one also fractured her hip and pelvis. In addition, six children and one adult suffered scrapes and bruising.

The wooden step stool has two steps and comes in a variety of colors, including natural, natural and red, white, and honey.

The Circo step stool has a lid on the bottom step that lifts to provide storage. The Do Your Room step stool has a lid on the top step that lifts to provide storage. The step stools measure approximately 13 inches high by 13 5/8 inches wide by 14 1/8 inches deep. The Circo brand name or DYR brand name and UPC numbers are printed on a label found underneath the step stool. Click here to see UPC numbers for the different style step stools.

Manufactured in China, Vietnam, Taiwan, and Thailand, the step stools were sold only at Target stores nationwide and online at Target.com from January 2007 through October 2010 for $25 to $30.

Consumers should immediately stop using the step stools and return them to any Target store to receive a full refund, Target and the commission advise.

For additional information, contact Target at 800-440-0680 between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s website at http://www.target.com/Product-Recalls-Safety-Information-Shopping/b/ref=nav_footerrecalls?ie=UTF8&ie=UTF8&node=1041388.