#United States #Washington #CPSC Warning #Stack-On #Biometric Safes

Urgent Warning from CPSC on Stack-On Biometric Gun Safes

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has recently released a critical alert regarding the use of Stack-On biometric gun safes, announcing significant risks of severe injuries and potential fatalities for consumers. Approximately 183,000 units of these safes, which include pistol vaults and lock boxes, are believed to pose substantial danger due to a failure in their biometric programming features. This failure can allow unauthorized access, such as by children, to firearms stored within these safes. The risks associated become alarmingly serious when considering reports of incidents where children were able to unlock these safes.

In one particularly distressing case reported, a five-year-old child in Michigan sustained severe injuries from a self-inflicted gunshot after gaining access to a firearm through the biometric feature of a Stack-On safe. This led to a required surgery, highlighting the devastating consequences of this safety issue. The CPSC's evaluation indicates that the biometric feature could malfunction without the owner's awareness, making it critical for users to take immediate action.

Immediate Actions Advised by CPSC

To mitigate the risks associated with these products, the CPSC has urged consumers to take the following steps:
1. Remove Batteries: Disconnect the power supply for the biometric feature immediately.
2. Disable the Biometric Feature: Consumers are advised to puncture the biometric reader with a screwdriver to ensure it cannot be used.
3. Use Keys Only: Access the contents of these safes solely through the manual key method, completely avoiding the biometric unlock option.

These safes have been on the market since January 2015, and distribution was managed by Alpha Guardian and Stack-On Products Co. The former filed for bankruptcy in 2020, and the latter has since taken over the assets. Despite the reported incidents and CPSC's request, Stack-On products have not yet organized a recall for the defective units.

Details of the Affected Products

The affected biometric safes range from portable lock boxes to personal safes and can be acquired at various well-known retailers, including Walmart and Amazon, as well as on secondhand platforms like eBay. They retail anywhere from $49 to $1,700, making them accessible to a broad consumer base. Each unit will have a model number visible on the safe itself, enabling easier identification for those who own them. CPSC also issued a list of particular models at risk, accompanied by UPC codes for precise tracking.

Consumer Guidance

In light of this danger, the CPSC emphasizes the importance of not selling or buying the affected models. If you own a Stack-On biometric safe or wish to report any incidents, visit SaferProducts.gov for further details and directives. By following these recommendations, consumers can help safeguard their households from the grave risks associated with these faulty products.

About The CPSC

The CPSC is dedicated to protecting the public from potential threats posed by consumer products, aiming to reduce the rates of injuries related. In recent years, the decline in such incidents can be attributed to their rigorous safety oversight, but this recent incident underlines the continuing need for vigilance among both manufacturers and consumers alike. For more information on product safety and updates, visit CPSC.gov.