Target Recalls to Repair Embark Resistance Cords Due to Injury Hazard

WASHINGTON, Sept. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.  It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20030904/USCSCLOGO)

Name of Product: Embark Resistance Cords and Cord Kits
Units:  About 447,000
Importer: Target Corporation, of Minneapolis, Minn.
Hazard: A black plastic ball attached to the resistance cord's door anchor can unexpectedly release and strike the user, posing an injury hazard to consumers.  
Incidents/Injuries: Target has received three reports of incidents in which consumers were struck in the eye by the door anchor ball. Two incidents resulted in permanent vision loss, and the severity of the injury in the third incident is unknown.
Description: This recall involves Embark brand individual resistance cords and cord kits listed below. The resistance bands are made of green, blue or black rubber with black foam handles and a door attachment. A strap of nylon webbing is looped onto the band with a plastic ball attached or encased that serves as a door anchor. "Embark" is printed on either the black strap attached to the foam handle or on the middle of the rubber cord itself.

Sold exclusively at: Target stores nationwide and Target.com from July 2009 through August 2011 for between $10 and $20.
Manufactured in: China
Remedy:  Consumers should immediately stop using the resistance cords and remove the door anchor strap before resuming use or contact the company to receive instructions to repair the cords to eliminate the hazard.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Target Guest Relations at (800) 440-0680 between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's website at www.target.com.

Photos are available at cpsc.gov and on CPSC's Flickr page.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about your experience with the product on SaferProducts.gov.

CPSC is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of the thousands of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $900 billion annually. CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products—such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals—contributed to a decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.

Under federal law, it is illegal to attempt to sell or resell this or any other recalled product.

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, go online to: SaferProducts.gov, call CPSC's Hotline at (800) 638-2772 or teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270 for the hearing impaired.  Consumers can obtain this news release and product safety information at www.cpsc.gov.  To join a free e-mail subscription list, please go to www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx.

Firm's Recall Hotline: (800) 440-0680
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

SOURCE U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

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