Approximately 3.6 million HydroTech 5/8-inch Expandable Burst-Proof Hoses have been recalled due to a serious risk of exploding, which can pose an impact hazard and temporarily impair hearing. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced the recall on Thursday, noting that the hoses were imported by Ohio-based Winston Products after being manufactured in Cambodia, China, and Vietnam.
These hoses were available at various retailers including Ace Hardware, Amazon, Do It Best, Home Depot, Target, and Walmart, with sales occurring between January 2021 and April 2023, at prices ranging from $20 to $136.
The recall follows at least 222 reports of bursting hoses, resulting in 29 injuries which include incidents of bone bruises, sprains, and cases where individuals experienced temporarily impaired hearing due to the loud sound of the hose bursting.
The hoses come in various lengths—25, 50, 60, 75, 100, and 200 feet—and in multiple colors. For those concerned about whether their hoses are affected, date code markings can be found at the end of the hoses, which connects to the spigot, visible when removing the black rubber washer. Hoses lacking markings or those ending in certain specified codes are affected by this recall.
Consumers who own these hoses are advised to return them to the point of purchase for a full refund. This recall highlights the importance of consumer safety and the need to regularly check for product alerts to prevent injuries.
Overall, it is reassuring to see safety measures in place to address potentially dangerous products and provide solutions for consumers to return affected items and obtain refunds.