Banzai Water Slide Recall

There are dangerous products on the market all the time. Unfortunately, sometimes it takes serious injuries or death to protect innocent people from defective products and negligent corporations.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Wal-Mart and Toys R Us are recalling 21,000 inflatable Banzai in-ground pool water slides, manufactured by Manley Toys, Ltd. The recall was announced after the CPSC was notified that a 29-year-old Colorado mother died after fracturing her neck and a 24-year-old man was left a quadriplegic after going down the slide. It was determined that during use, the slide can deflate, allowing the user to hit the ground underneath the slide. The slide is also unstable and subject to tipping over under windy conditions; warnings and instructions are inadequate

The recalled slides were sold nationwide between January 2005 and June 2009 with model number 15734 and barcode number 2675315734. If you own this Bonzai slide, return it to the nearest Wal-Mart or Toys R Us for a full refund. Consumers can also cut the two safety warning notices out of the slide and just return that portion. Unfortunately, the model number and barcode were on the original packaging of the water slides, but not on the actual slide. If you own a Bonzai water slide and do not know whether it is affected by the recall, note that the recalled slide has a blue base, yellow sliding mat, and an arch that goes over the top of the slide. A circular blue, white, and orange logo shaped like a wave contains the words “Banzai Splash” and appears on both sides of the slide. To report an incident involving the Bonzai slide, contact the CPSC at SaferProducts.gov or call the CPSC Hotline: (800) 638-2772.

As warmer weather hits the nation, the CPSC warn consumers to place safety measures before opening their pool for the season. Here are some tips from the Home Safety Council.

• Install fencing that surrounds the pool completely, blocking direct access from the house. The fencing should be at least 5 ft. high and have self-latching and self-locking gates.
• Regardless of age or skill level, no one is "drown proof." Children must always be supervised while they in or near water by an adult who is paying close attention.
• Learn and practice basic lifesaving techniques, including First Aid and CPR. Insist that anyone who cares for your children learn CPR.
• Keep poolside rescue equipment close to the pool area at all times, and bring a cordless telephone outside while using the pool.
• Entrapment underwater can be deadly. Install anti-entrapment drain covers.
• Teach children that drains, grates and filters are not toys. Never stick fingers or toes in these openings and stay away from suction devices.
• If a child is missing, check the pool area first.

Mark Bello has thirty-five years experience as a trial lawyer and thirteen years as an underwriter and situational analyst in the lawsuit funding industry. He is the owner and founder of Lawsuit Financial Corporation which helps provide legal finance cash flow solutions and consulting when necessities of life litigation funding is needed by a plaintiff involved in pending, personal injury, litigation. Bello is a Justice Pac member of the American Association for Justice, Sustaining and Justice Pac member of the Michigan Association for Justice, Member of Public Justice and Public Citizen, Business Associate of the Florida, Mississippi, Connecticut, Texas, and Tennessee Associations for Justice, and Consumers Attorneys of California, member of the American Bar Association, the State Bar of Michigan and the Injury Board.