The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced a recall of approximately 10,318 Arlopu slide playsets sold on Amazon and Walmart, due to a risk of serious injury or death from head and neck entrapment. The recalled playsets have openings that a child’s torso can fit through but a child’s head cannot, posing a risk of injury or death.
Design Defects and Hazards
The technical reality of the playsets’ design is that the openings can trap a child’s head, resulting in severe injury or death. Model KT-CS17 also features basketball nets that can detach and form loops capable of strangling a child. As ever, the detail that matters is the specific design of the playsets, which allows a child’s torso to pass through but not their head. Under the hood, the problem lies in the size and placement of the openings, which can cause a child’s head to become trapped.
Identifying Affected Models
The recalled playsets have model numbers KT-CS17 and LY-31, and come in tan, red, blue, yellow, gray, and green. To identify the affected models, parents can check the model number label on the product. For model KT-CS17, the label is located underneath the elevated platform, while for model LY-31, it appears on the upper back panel behind the slide.
Incidents and Repair
Arlopu has reported one incident of a child getting trapped in the playset, resulting in abrasions to the child’s neck. The company is offering a free repair kit that includes redesigned panels, basketball hoops, and installation instructions. Parents can contact Arlopu to request the repair kit by emailing a photo of the model number on their playset. After completing the repair, parents are instructed to write “RECALLED” on the removed components using a permanent marker and discard them.
Next Steps
The CPSC advises consumers to stop using the playsets immediately and store them away from children. Parents can contact Arlopu’s customer service team, available Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time, for help identifying their playset or requesting replacement parts. Verified customers will receive their free repair kits within 15 business days after submitting the required product photographs. As of now, 10,318 units have been recalled, and Arlopu is taking steps to mitigate the risk of injury or death associated with the playsets.
Sources
- Recalled playsets sold on Amazon and Walmart pose a risk of injury or death, commission says
- Arlopu slide playsets recalled over entrapment and strangulation risks
- Parents Urged to Stop Using These Children’s Playsets After 10,000 Units Recalled Over Deadly Safety Risk
- Recalled playsets sold on Amazon and Walmart pose a risk of injury or death, commission says
- Recalled playsets sold on Amazon and Walmart pose a risk of injury or death, commission says
Photo: Se. Tsuchiya / Unsplash (Unsplash License)
