Child’s Death Leads to Stage and Riser Caddy Recall

Following the death of a three-year old girl last year, a recall has been issued for about 5,300 stage and riser caddies sold by Midwest Folding Products, due to a design defect that may cause the portable stages, which are typically used in churches, schools and performing arts centers, to fall while they are being stored. 

The stage and riser caddy recall, was issued on August 1, 2012, after it was confirmed that the latches on the caddies do not automatically close, which can leave the stages and risers unsecured when not in use. This could pose a risk that they will fall onto consumers and young children in the area.

In May 2011, a young girl from Greenville, South Carolina died from a severe head trauma after one of the portable stages fell on her at church.

The recall affects Midwest Folding Products caddies for stages and risers. They are brown, gray or black metal, 44 inches long by 30 inches wide by 60 inches high. The caddies hold six 96-inch long or eight 48 to 72-inch long stage or riser platforms. They have yellow caution and instruction labels on the frame.

The caddies were sold by Midwest Folding Products dealers nationwide and online at www.midwestfolding.com from January 1989 through March 2012 for about $1,200.

The company states that it is directly contacting known customers to notify them of the recall. Any person or group that owns or uses the caddies should stop using them immediately. Owners can contact Midwest Folding Products to get a free repair kit with new brackets. The brackets will close automatically and will be sent with warning and instruction labels.

Consumers with questions can call Midwest Folding Products at (800) 621-4716 or visit the company’s website at www.midwestfolding.com.