Evenflo has issued a defective product recall for 150,000 children’s wooden gates that block stairways from young children. According to an Associated Press report, the slats on these Evenflo Top-of-the-Stair Plus gates can break or detach, allowing young children access to the stairs. So far, the company has received 142 reports of broken or detached slats, including three reports of children who were able to bypass the gate and gain access to the stairs. These recalled products, made in Mexico, were sold at retailers nationwide including Toys “R” Us, Burlington Baby Depot, Kmart, as well as online. Consumers who have one of these gates at home are asked to stop using them right away and contact the manufacturer for a free replacement gate.

Injuries Involving Children’s Products

It is indeed fortunate that there have been no reports of serious injuries as a result of this particular product defect. According to statistics from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in 2006, there were about 66,400 emergency department treated injuries associated with nursery products among children under age 5. According to this data, falls were the most frequent cause of personal injuries. Head injuries were the most common in these types of accidents. During the three-year period between 2002 and 2004, CPSC staff had reports of about 241 deaths — an annual average of about 80 fatalities — associated with nursery products among children under age 5.

Prior Recall

This is not the first defective product recall involving these types of gates. In February 2009, a company called Dorel recalled about 100,000 Safety 1st SmartLight stair gates because the hinges that hold these stair gates could break. That of course, posed a serious personal injury hazard to infants and toddlers if the gates were placed at the top of the stairs.

Claim for Compensation

If your child has been injured because of a defective nursery product or toy, you would be well-advised to get in touch with a reputed California personal injury lawyer, who has successfully handled defective product cases on behalf of injured victims and their families. Victims, who have been injured, or a family who has lost a loved one as a result of product defects, are usually entitled to compensation including reimbursement of medical/funeral expenses, loss of wages and other related costs. The best product defect law firms will offer a free and comprehensive consultation to injured victims and their families.