News  from CPSC

                U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Office of Information and Public Affairs                                                                        Washington, D.C. 20207

For Immediate Release                                                                      Firm’s Recall Hotline: (800)374-7837         

May 18, 2006                                      CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772

Release #06                                                                                        CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Hunting Tree Stands Recalled for Collapse Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. – 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. (To access color photos of the following recalled products, see CPSC’s Web site at www.cpsc.gov.)

Name of Product: Ameristep Patriot and Outfitter Hang-on Tree Stands

Units:  About 6,700

Manufacturer:  Primal Vantage Company Inc., of Randolph, N.J.

Distributor: Ameristep Inc., of Clio, Mich.

Hazard:  The j-hook attachment of the tree strap can fail, which can cause the tree stand to collapse. Consumers using these stands could fall and suffer serious injuries or death.

Incidents/Injuries:  Primal Vantage Company Inc. has received three reports of j-hook failures. No injuries have been reported.

Description:  The recall involves two models of tree stands: the Ameristep Patriot Hang-On Tree Stand has model number 7300, and the Outfitter Hang-On Tree Stand has model number 7310.  These products are fixed-position, strap-on tree stands.  The UPC number of the model 7300 is 769524703001.  The UPC number of model 7310 is 769524703100. The model number and UPC are not written on the tree stands, but can be found on the packaging.

Sold at: Hunting and outdoor stores nationwide and by Web retailers and in catalogs from April 2004 through December 2005 for between $130 and $150.

Manufactured in:  China

Remedy:  Please contact Ameristep Customer Service Department to receive a free repair kit consisting of a bracket system and double hook tree strap along with instructions for installation.

Consumer Contact:  Ameristep Customer Service Department at (800)374-7837 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit www.ameristep.com or www.treestandcustomerservice.com for assistance.

Firm’s Media Contact: Jeremy Lees at (800) 722-7345, ext. 114;

                                       Michael Loiacono at (800) 722-7345, ext. 141

            Ameristep Patriot (Model 7300) and Outfitter (Model 7310) Hang-On Tree Stands

            (Shown with optional foot rests)

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from more than 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency’s jurisdiction.  Deaths, injuries and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $700 billion annually.  The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. The CPSC’s work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals – contributed significantly to the 30 percent decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC’s hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC’s teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270 or visit CPSC’s Web site at www.cpsc.gov/talk.html. Consumers can obtain this release and recall information at CPSC’s Web site at www.cpsc.gov.

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