POOL LADDER STEP SAFETY REPLACEMENT PROGRAM

WASHINGTON, DC -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Mengo Industries, Inc., announced a voluntary replacement program for the plastic steps used on some of its swimming pool ladders sold under the DOTLINE brand between 1976 and 1982 because the steps on those ladders may break during use.

These removable ladders are used for home above ground pools. Involved are about 80,000 DOTLINE models SPL-4, SBL-4, and SPL-4000. The model number may be found on the assembly instruction sheet accompanying the ladder. Beginning in 1978, the year of manufacture is designated by a series of numbers located on the bottom of each step near the 1-1/2 inch hole which accommodates the ladder side rail. The last two digits indicate the year of manufacture.

There have been 9 reported incidents of steps breaking during use and some consumers have claimed resulting laceration and sprain-type injuries. The steps have a useful life of about two years. After two years the steps may begin to show signs of deterioration evidenced by small hairline cracks in the plastic.

Mengo will replace the steps on all affected ladder models sold between 1976 and 1982 free of charge to the consumer. Consumers are urged to examine their pool ladder steps for cracks immediately. If cracks are discovered, consumers should discontinue using the ladder immediately until the replacement steps are installed.

Consumers should send their steps, along with their name and address, directly to Mengo Dotline Industries, Inc., 4611 Green Bay Road, Kenosha, Wisconsin 53141, via collect United Parcel Service or Parcel Post.

Persons needing further information may call Mengo Industries, Inc. collect at 414-652-3070. Further information may also be obtained by calling the CPSC toll-free hotline number at 800-638-CPSC. A teletypewriter number for the hearing impaired is (301) 595-7054.

Consumer Product SAFETY ALERT
FROM THE U.S. CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20207
July 1987

Under laws administered by CPSC, an estimated 325 million potentially hazardous products have been called back from the marketplace and consumers since 1973 (when CPSC was created). Most of these were voluntarily recalled by manufacturers who established programs to repair or rep/ace the products, or to refund the purchase price.

Mengo will replace the steps on all affected ladder models sold between 1976 and 1982 free of charge to the consumer. Consumers are urged to examine their pool ladder steps for cracks immediately. If cracks are discovered, consumers should discontinue using the ladder immediately until the replacement steps are installed.

Consumers should send their steps, along with their name and address, directly to Mengo Dotline Industries, Inc., 4611 Green Bay Road, Kenosha, Wisconsin 53141, via collect United Parcel Service or Parcel Post.

There have been 9 reported incidents of steps breaking during use and some consumers have claimed resulting laceration and sprain-type injuries.