CPSC, The First Years® Inc. Announce New Safety Instructions to Prevent Injuries for Combo Baby Tubs/Step Stools
Kids’ product recall 03-085. Announced by CPSC on Feb 27, 2003.
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The short answer
Announced by CPSC on Feb 27, 2003. Copied from CPSC on Oct 19, 2026.
Every line below is in CPSC’s own words, with its source beside it.
What’s wrong with it?
When used as a tub, babies’ body parts can be pinched if the product’s footrest is not fully extended, so that it clicks into place firmly.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
What should you do?
Consumers should not use the bathtub until they receive revised instructions on the use of the tub to prevent the pinching hazard. Consumers should contact The First Years to receive free revised instructions and a warning label to attach to the product.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: Consumers may contact The First Years at (800) 533-6708 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday. Consumers can also visit the firm’s website at www.thefirstyears.com
Which ones are recalled?
These “2-In-1 Fold-Away Tub and Step Stools,” have model number 3141 written on the underside of the base. The product is a folding baby bathtub that can be used as a step stool for an older child. In the step stool position, the top of the turquoise lid has raised lettering stating “the first years” followed near the bottom of the lid with the two statements, “MAXIMUM LOAD/POIDS MAXIMUM: 200lbs/90kg” and “USE ONLY ON A LEVEL SURFACE. N’UTILISER QUE SUR UNE SURFACE PLANE.” In the bathtub position, the seat back has a purple pad. The base and footrest are both white. Also, on the underside of the base is a tiny raised clock showing the year of manufacture of the product (i.e., “9?9”) surrounded by the numbers of the clock. Only products bearing date codes 1999 and 2000 (“9?9” or “0?0”) are included in this program.
120,000 units, as CPSC gives them.
2-In-1 Fold-Away Tub and Step Stools.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
CPSC’s photos
CPSC shows 1 photo on its notice. Hearth Record doesn’t copy them; each opens on cpsc.gov.
Who made and sold it?
- Made by The First Years Inc., Avon, Mass.
- Mass merchants nationwide sold these bathtub/stools, between January 1999 and February 2002, for about $17.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
Was anyone hurt?
CPSC and The First Years have received 20 reports of babies being pinched while using these tubs, including one bruising of a baby boy’s genitalia and 10 reports of abrasions to toes and feet. This recall to replace the stools’ instructions is being conducted to prevent further incidents.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
What the record doesn’t say
- The notice lists no UPCs, so check the model, the description and the photos.
- The notice lists no model numbers in a field of their own; its description may give them.
- How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Hearth Record wrote these lines.
Sources
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U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Recalls API.
Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work). CPSC asks to be credited, and that no endorsement be implied.
Recalls of kids’ and home products are from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). CPSC does not endorse Hearth Record. Copied on Oct 19, 2026.