CPSC, Sauder Woodworking Co. Announce Recall of TV/VCR Carts that Can Tip Over Easily, after Baby's Death

Affected

These TV/VCR carts were sold in a kit to be assembled by consumers. They are identical in design and construction, but not color. One model is a light-colored oak finish, and the other model is a dark-colored cherry finish. The TV/VCR carts are about 29.5 inches wide, 18 inches deep and 27 inches high. The carts are equipped with a top shelf intended to support up to a 27-inch television, a middle shelf intended to hold a VCR and a lower storage area intended to hold VCR tapes and equipment. This cart is intended to hold a TV that weighs 95 pounds or less. This includes most 24-inch and smaller TVs, and may include some 27-inch TVs. The products were provided with shelves for holding VHS tapes that were to be installed on the inside of the two hinged doors enclosing the lower storage area. The recalled carts have four removable casters attached to each bottom corner of the cart. The TV/VCR carts included in the recall are models 2655 and 2755. The model number is not on the cart, but it is on the instruction booklet that came with the cart.

The file

Sold at

Department, discount and home electronic stores nationwide sold these TV/VCR carts from January 1993 through December 1999 for about $100.

Product type

Television Carts/Stands/Entertainment Centers

Made in

Not stated

Recalled by

Sauder Woodworking Co., of Archbold, Ohio

Incident log

Sauder Woodworking has received 13 reports of these carts tipping over. The firm received a report of the death of a 19-month-old girl in North Wales, Pa., who suffered a fractured skull when the cart and television fell on her. There were four reports of additional injuries involving children and adults. One report involved a skull fracture to a child who recovered, and three reports involved bumps and bruises.

What the notice says to do

Consumers should stop using the TV/VCR carts immediately and do the following: Remove the television and all the contents from these carts. Turn the cart over and remove the four casters from the bottom of the cart. This will improve the stability of the carts. Contact Sauder Woodworking Co. to receive a free repair kit that will further reduce the potential for the cart and television to tip. Do not use the cart until the repair kit has been installed.

For more information and to order the free repair kit, consumers should contact Sauder Woodworking Co. toll-free at (888) 800-4590 anytime, or visit the firm's website at www.sauder.com