Above-ground pool ladders recalled

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Intex Recreation Corp. and the Consumer Product Safety Commission on Wednesday announced a recall of 466,000 above-ground pool ladders due to risk of injury from the ladders breaking.

According to the CPSC, the ladder's plastic steps can be assembled backward on the support brackets. If this happens, the ladder steps can break, causing users to fall.

The Long Beach, Calif.-based company said it received 172 reports of steps breaking during use. It received 127 reports of injuries, including six leg lacerations requiring up to 21 stitches, five reports of bone fractures, two back injuries, two reports of torn ligaments, eight sprained ankles, and other minor injuries.

The CPSC said consumers should stop using the recalled products immediately.

The recall includes 42-inch, 48-inch, and 52-inch "A" frame above-ground pool ladders with the brand names "Intex," "Easy Set" and "Sand N Sun" brands.

Each leg of the recalled ladder has two pieces joined together with a metal sleeve. The ladders have either three or four blue plastic steps on each side of the "A" that attach to blue plastic support brackets mounted on the legs.

The ladders, manufactured in China, were sold at Wal-Mart (Charts), Sam's Club, and Target (Charts) stores nationwide, from February 2006 through February 2007.

Above-ground pool sets that included the ladders sold for between $150 and $800, the agency said.

The CPSC advised consumers to immediately stop using the ladders and contact Intex to obtain information about how to obtain a free replacement ladder.

Consumers can also contact Intex at 800-549-8829 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or visit the company's Web site at www.intexcorp.com.

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