WASHINGTON, D.C. -- In conjunction with the U.S. Consumer
Product Safety Commission, Maxton Industries/Cox Furniture, Inc.
of Maxton, N.C., today announced a voluntary recall of the firm's
wooden, convertible ladder/chair. The ladder/chair was sold by
three catalog companies; Swiss Colony, J.C. Penney and Spiegel.
The Commission is aware of 24 incidents in which either
the steps of the ladder/chair split or the hinges pulled away
from the wood causing users to fall or stumble. The 24
incidents involved 13 injuries which included a broken elbow,
several cuts and multiple bruises. Another problem is the
inherent instability of the product when climbing the ladder.
The step placement and arrangement, and the structural design can
cause the user to lose balance and fall.
Approximately, 4,500 wooden, convertible ladder/chairs were
distributed and sold nationwide through Swiss Colony, J.C. Penney
and Spiegel catalog companies from October, 1984 through July,
1987. The catalog companies' reference numbers are as follows:
Spiegel's catalogue no: #N7910 7376T
Swiss Colony's catalogue no: #3047
J.C. Penney's catalogue no: #783-2736
The ladder/chair involved in this recall has a warning
label on the top step of the ladder. A picture of the ladder
chair and the warning label is attached for easy identification.
Consumers should remove these ladder/chairs from use
immediately and return them by mail or in person to the retailer
where purchased for a refund. Consumers will be reimbursed for
mailing cost in addition to the retail price of the item.
For further information concerning this recall, consumers
can call Maxton Industries/Cox Furniture, Inc. collect at
l-919-844-3501.
