Late last week, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Toys R Us Inc., recalled approximately 21,000 Banzai inflatable in-ground pool water slides due to the death of a young Colorado woman which occurred in Andover, Massachusetts. In addition to the young woman’s death, two more people have suffered severe injuries, including a 24-year old Springfield, Missouri, man who is now a quadriplegic due to use of the slide and an Allentown, Pennsylvania, woman who suffered a neck fracture using the slide.
The hazard to this particular water slide is that during use the slide can deflate allowing the person sliding to become injured by hitting the ground beneath the slide. Owners of this slide should also note that this slide is unstable and can fall over in both still and windy weather conditions. According to the CPSC, “this product carries inadequate warnings and instructions.”[1]
The Banzai slides were manufactured in China by Manley Toys Ltd. and were designed to be used with in-ground pools. The slides were sold by Toys R Us and Walmart stores throughout the country from January 2005 through June 2009 and cost approximately $250.
The barcode number 2675315734 and model number 15734 of the recalled slides appear on the slide’s packaging but not on the slide itself. The vinyl slides have a blue base, yellow sliding mat and a blue arch going over the top of the slide where a water hose can be attached to spray water down the slide. “Banzai Splash” is printed in a blue, orange and white logo in the shape of a wave on the sides of the slide.
Consumers have been advised by the CPSC to stop using the Banzai in-ground pool slides immediately and to return them to Toys R Us or Walmart for a full refund. Consumers are permitted to cut out the two safety warning notices from the slide’s material and simply return that portion.
For more information on returning the recalled water slides, consumers may call Walmart at 1(800) 925-6278 between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's website at www.walmartstores.com. If purchased from Toys R Us, consumers should call 1(800) 869-7787 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. ET Monday through Saturday and between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Sunday, or visit the firm's website at www.toysrus.com
To view photos of the recalled Banzai water slides, please visit the CPSC website at: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml12/12174.html
[1] “Reported Death, Severe Neck Injuries Prompt Recall of Banzai Inflatable Pool Slides Sold By Walmart and Toys R Us”, May 10, 2012, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington, D.C. http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml12/12174.html
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