Kuuma Stow and Go barbecue grills were reported to cause three fires and minor burns on the hands of victims that were using the barbecue grill. The reported injuries prompted the recall of nearly 5000 grills in the U.S. market. Eastwind Industries, Inc., the manufacturer, cited that propane tanks in Model number 83726 may leak fuel if the fuel container is not fully threaded onto the regulator during installation. This grill recall is only one example of the many product recalls that take place every year.
Manufacturers are responsible to design products in a way that safeguards against risks such as a fire hazard. If the manufacturer is unable to guard against a risk in the development of the product, the manufacturer must display a warning about the risk associated with the product on the product label. Each year, hundreds of products are recalled because the risk associated with the product is not identified until the product hits the mainstream market and injuries occur. Then, the recall is announced. In some cases thereafter, the product manufacturer redesigns the product to meet safety requirements or adds a warning to the product label. In some cases, the recalled product is banned from the U.S. market.
Eastwind conducted the recall in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The Kuuma Stow and Go Grills, made in Thailand, were sold in U.S. nationwide stores from January through August 2009. Eastwind has made available new instructions for the installation of the barbecue grill parts and will provide a new tool to use when cleaning the fuel system. This remedy is considered acceptable at this time, according to Consumer Product Safety Standards.
If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product, contact Burton Padove for a free consultation at 219-836-2200.