Floortex runners, throw rugs or doormats

The reports, as CPSC published them

1. Hurt, no treatment

   Made Jan 15, 2016 · , sent to the company Jan 28, 2016 · , published by CPSC Feb 22, 2016

   The product, in the report: Clear Floortex® ClearTex Ultimat® Polycarbonate Chair Mat for Plush Carpet, with lip, 48”x60” SKU/item #100721 Model #1115227LR

   This is the detailed follow-up to my original report submitted last week. On 11/13/15 UPS delivered to my home, a Floortex® ClearTex Ultimat® Polycarbonate Chair Mat for Plush Carpet, with lip, 48”x60”, ordered through Staples.com. The shipping box was stamped in red ink with warnings pertaining to two products:

   1. Ultimat Polycarbonate and Ecotex Revolutionmat Gripper 2. Advantagemat PVC and Ecotex Revolutionmat Smooth & Anti-Slip Back.

   The warning for product #1 cautioned ,“Take extreme care when cutting restraining straps. Due to the products unique memory characteristics, they will revert immediately to their flat state when strapping is removed. Mats are under pressure and will spring open unless handled with care!”

   The warning for product #2 stated, “Product supplied rolled or not stored in flat form should be allowed a minimum of 72 hours in a warm environment to regain their original flat state”.

   Although neither warning pertained to my purchase, out of common sense, I proceeded with great caution when I slid the rolled up mat out of the shipping box. It was bound with one (not two) woven strap 7/18” wide with an interlocking metal wire clasp. I deliberately relocated and contained the roll within an area surrounded by furniture that was approximately 10’ from where I had removed it from the shipping box. I braced myself against a 38” x 28” x 17”, 30 lb. overstuffed ottoman and knelt on the roll with both knees. As I began to cut the strap with a scissors, it immediately split apart. The mat unrolled with such force that it knocked me backward onto the ottoman and propelled the strap/buckle (?) into my forearm. It also propelled into the air an 8 ½” x 5 ½” piece of white paper printed with a large black lettered ‘WARNING’ centered between two triangular shapes containing large exclamation points. The document advised to “Take extreme care when cutting the restraining straps” and also provided the same warnings that were printed in red ink on the shipping box. It had drawings of two rolls with two straps and also drawings of scissors pointing at the rolls. It advised to “Scan the QR code to watch a video on how to safely unroll your mat” and “For further help or advice please email Floortex at: infor@floortex.com.” Apparently this document was inside of the bound and rolled up mat.

   My husband immediately contacted our local Staples to notify them of the situation so they could notify the manufacturer of the potential dangers to other consumers. Although the shipping box was printed with a reference to 813 Park Avenue, Murfreesboro, TN 37129, I was unable to find a local telephone number for the manufacturer, Floortex, whose offices are in the UK and Germany. I used the Floortex online contact form to notify Floortex of the situation and urged them to take immediate action to mitigate the problem.

   By December 17th I had not received a response and sent a second notice via the Floorex contact form advising them I would take further action if they did not respond within ten business days and restating my concern about potential injury to other consumers. On December 18th I received a response from [REDACTED] stating that “I can confirm that we did receive your website generated email message on Friday 13th November at 11.53am GMT. I can assure you that I replied to your message on Monday 16th November 2015 at 16.23 GMT. Please can you ensure that @floortex.com is added to your safe senders list as emails are sent from info@floortex.com , salessupportusa@floortex.com. I have sent this email from my employee email as the others may be blocked by your spam filter. As detailed in my original message to you, the comments that you have made with regards to your delivery have been taken very seriously. I have discussed your email with my Manager and the comments that you have made have been escalated up to our Commercial Director and his team.”

   [REDACTED] E-Commerce Manager Email: [REDACTED] Web: www.floortex.com

   Floortex Europe Limited, 10 Miller Court, Severn Drive, Tewkesbury Business Park, Tewkesbury, GL20 8DN, ENGLAND

   I have not heard another word from Floortex.

   Floortex obviously knows of the potential dangers when opening some of their products given their repeated warnings. However, if the warnings stamped onto the delivery box also pertained to my purchase, it would have been helpful to have my product listed. The warning notice inside of the box would have been helpful had it been available to me prior to the explosive opening. And, my mat was only bound with one strap. The lack of response from Floortex troubles me greatly. I remain concerned about other consumers sustaining injuries much more serious than mine should the trajectory of the strap launch it into a face or an eye.

   I have the shipping box, the strap, the printed warning from inside the box. I also have photos of the blood blister and the scratches on my forearm. I have the email from [REDACTED]. If additional information is needed to complete this report, please contact me.

   Thank you, [REDACTED]

   Model

   Floortex® ClearTex Ultimat® Polycarbonate Chair Mat for Plus

   Bought from

   Staples.com

   Bought

   Nov 6, 2015, about then

   Where

   Corona, California: Home/Apartment/Condominium

   Who was involved

   Age 67, Female

   The reporter’s relation to them

   Self

   As this report names them

   Brand Floortex, made or sold by Floortex Europe Limited

   How badly, in CPSC’s words

   Injury, No First Aid or Medical Attention Received

CPSC’s disclaimer

Sources