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As the warmer months roll in, many of us find ourselves diving into outdoor activities, often involving a trusty water hose—whether we’re watering the garden or splashing around on a sunny day. But before you grab that hose, there’s something crucial you need to know, especially if you own a HydroTech Expandable Burst-Proof Hose. Let’s dive into the details!
What’s Happening? A Recall Announcement
The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a significant recall involving Winston Products’ HydroTech 5/8-inch Expandable Burst-Proof Hoses. We’re talking about approximately 3.6 million hoses that have been flagged due to a risk of bursting during use. And this isn’t just an inconvenience—it could even lead to serious injuries, including potential hearing impairment from the burst’s force.
So far, there have been at least 222 reports of these hoses bursting, with 29 documented injuries resulting from these incidents. This highlights the importance of checking if you have one of the affected hoses sitting in your shed or garage.
How to Identify Affected Hoses
Wondering if your HydroTech hose is part of this recall? It’s essential to identify it correctly. These hoses were manufactured on or before August 31, 2024, and they were available in various lengths—25, 50, 60, 75, 100, and even 200 feet—offered in a rainbow of colors.
To see if your hose is affected, check for the date code markings located on the end of the hose that connects to the spigot. You’ll need to remove the black rubber washer to spot this marking. If your hose has no markings or ends with specific numerical codes (like -211, -212, etc.), it falls under the recall. Keep an eye out for packaging that might list the manufacture date in a month-year format; for example, if you see “0824,” that means it was made in August 2024, which qualifies for the recall.
What Should You Do Next?
If you’ve confirmed that you own one of the recalled hoses, it’s crucial to stop using it immediately. If you purchased your hose from major retailers like Ace Hardware, Do It Best, Home Depot, or Walmart, you’re in luck—you can get a full refund in-store. But if you bought it elsewhere, you’ll need to reach out to Winston Products directly to process your refund.
At the end of the day, consumer safety should always take center stage, especially for products we frequently use around our homes. Staying informed about product recalls and knowing how to identify potentially hazardous items can go a long way in keeping you and your loved ones safe. So, take a moment to check your hoses—your safety is worth it!