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CPSC, Firms Announce Swimming Pool Dive Stick Recall Because of Impalement Risk to Children

  • Recalled dive sticks
  • Recalled Florida Pool dive stick
  • Recalled Poolmaster dive stick
  • Recalled J&M Industries dive stick
Name of Product:
Swimming Pool Dive Sticks
Hazard:

In shallow water, children can fall or land on a dive stick and suffer rectal or vaginal impalement. Facial and eye injuries also are possible when children attempt to retrieve the sticks under water.

Remedy:
Dispose
Refund
Replace
Recall Date:
June 24, 1999
Units:

More than 19 million

Consumer Contact

CPSC urges anyone who is aware of injuries with dive sticks or who has questions about the recall to call CPSC's hotline at (800) 638-2772.

Recall Details

Description:

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and 15 firms are announcing the recall of more than 19 million dive sticks used in swimming pools. In shallow water, children can fall or land on a dive stick and suffer rectal or vaginal impalement. Facial and eye injuries also are possible when children attempt to retrieve the sticks under water. According to CPSC Chairman Ann Brown, these dives sticks are dangerous and should not be used.

CPSC knows of six impalement injuries and one facial injury to children 6 to 9 years old. Although the number of reported incidents is relatively low, the severity of the injuries that have occurred is very significant. Three of the children suffered rectal and three suffered vaginal impalements from dive sticks placed in backyard pools or, in one case, a hot tub. In four of the six incidents, the injuries that occurred required surgery and hospitalization. The facial injury occurred when a child bobbed down to retrieve a dive stick and lacerated her face just below her eye, requiring stitches.

The dive sticks being recalled are hard plastic and are either cylinder-shaped or shark-shaped. When dropped into water, the dive sticks sink to the bottom of a pool and stand upright so that children can swim or dive down and retrieve them. The cylinder-shaped plastic sticks measure about 4 to 8 inches long and about 1 inch or less in diameter. The shark-shaped plastic sticks measure about 7 inches long and have an egg-shaped bottom. The sticks come in a variety of colors. Most are packaged in kits of three to six sticks, and some are packaged with other pool diving games.

These dive sticks have been sold at grocery, drug, pool and discount department stores nationwide for about $4 to $7 per set under numerous brand names, most of which do not appear on the dive stick itself. Consumers should stop using dive sticks immediately and throw them out.

Depending on the sticks owned, consumers can receive a refund, replacement or repair.

Company Quantity Recalled How to ID Throw out or...
Florida Pool 9 million Sold primarily at Wal-Mart Get repair kit at Wal-Mart.
Poolmaster 2 million "Poolmaster" imprinted on stick Call (800) 854-1492 for a replacement.
J&M Industries 897,000 "Made in USA" imprinted on stick Get a replacement stick at the store where purchased.
All others N/A All others Return to store where purchased for a refund or repair.

CPSC urges anyone who is aware of injuries with dive sticks or who has questions about the recall to call CPSC's hotline at (800) 638-2772.

The CPSC staff is recommending to the Commission that it ban the future production and importation of these products.

Remedy:

Depending on the sticks owned, consumers can receive a refund, replacement or repair.
Florida Pool: Get repair kit at Wal-Mart.
Poolmaster: Call (800) 854-1492 for a replacement.
J&M Industries: Get a replacement stick at the store where purchased.
All Others: Return to store where purchased for a refund or repair.

Incidents/Injuries:

CPSC knows of six impalement injuries and one facial injury to children 6 to 9 years old. Although the number of reported incidents is relatively low, the severity of the injuries that have occurred is very significant. Three of the children suffered rectal and three suffered vaginal impalements from dive sticks placed in backyard pools or, in one case, a hot tub. In four of the six incidents, the injuries that occurred required surgery and hospitalization. The facial injury occurred when a child bobbed down to retrieve a dive stick and lacerated her face just below her eye, requiring stitches.

Sold At:
These dive sticks have been sold at grocery, drug, pool and discount department stores nationwide for about $4 to $7 per set under numerous brand names, most of which do not appear on the dive stick itself.
Recall number:
99-127

Note: Individual Commissioners may have statements related to this topic. Please visit www.cpsc.gov/commissioners to search for statements related to this or other topics.

If you are experiencing issues with a recall remedy or believe a company is being non-responsive to your remedy request, please use this form and explain the situation to CPSC.
About the U.S. CPSC

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risk of injury or death associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product-related incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products has contributed to a decline in the rate of injuries associated with consumer products over the past 50 years.

Federal law prohibits any person from selling products subject to a Commission ordered recall or a voluntary recall undertaken in consultation with the CPSC.

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