Ballard Designs Recalls Step Stools Due to Fall Hazard
Home product recall 12-001. Announced by CPSC on Oct 4, 2011.
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The short answer
Announced by CPSC on Oct 4, 2011. Copied from CPSC on Oct 19, 2026.
- New Instructions what’s offered
- About 2,500 units, as CPSC gives them
- Reported injuries, in the notice (needs attention)
Every line below is in CPSC’s own words, with its source beside it.
What’s wrong with it?
Plastic tabs on the feet of the step stools can cause the stools to be unstable, posing a fall hazard to consumers.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
What should you do?
Consumers should immediately remove the four plastic tabs from the feet of their step stools. Instructions are available online at www.ballarddesigns.com under the Product Safety page or by contacting Ballard Designs at the number below. Ballard Designs is directly contacting all known purchasers.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
- What the company offers to fix a recalled product or vehicle: a repair, a replacement or a refund, as the recall notice says. For a vehicle, dealers make the safety repair free. Follow the notice’s own steps, or contact the company it names. Source: CPSC; NHTSA (49 U.S.C. 30120).: new instructions.
- How to reach the firm: For more information, contact Ballard Designs toll-free at (888) 606-2627 between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. ET Monday through Friday and between 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. ET Saturday and Sunday or visit the firm’s website at www.ballarddesigns.com
Which ones are recalled?
This recall involves Ballard Designs “Stafford” step stools made of wood painted black or white. “Ballard Designs” is printed on a sticker under the bottom of the step. “Made in China” is printed on the underside bottom of the step stools. Also printed on the underside bottom of the step stools is one of the following five numbers: 100097963, 100099019, 100097230, 100100584 or 100102942. All recalled stools also have four plastic tabs affixed to the feet of the step stool.
About 2,500 units, as CPSC gives them.
Ballard Designs “Stafford” step stools.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
CPSC’s photos
CPSC shows 3 photos on its notice. Hearth Record doesn’t copy them; each opens on cpsc.gov.
Who made and sold it?
- Distributed by Ballard Designs, Inc., Atlanta, Ga.
- Ballard Design stores in Florida, Georgia and Ohio, through Ballard Designs catalogs, on www.ballarddesigns.com and www.hsn.com from July 2009 through May 2011 for about $80.
- Made in China, as the notice gives it.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
Was anyone hurt?
Ballard Designs has received six reports that the stools were not stable, including two reports of falls resulting in minor injuries.
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.