A widely used household item—one that many families rely on without a second thought—has recently found itself at the center of growing concern after safety issues were brought to light by both experts and consumers.

Across countless homes nationwide, there may be an unrecognized danger quietly present in everyday routines, tucked away in cabinets or corners without suspicion.

In response to mounting evidence and urgent warnings, officials have initiated a sweeping recall effort designed to prevent further harm and encourage immediate consumer awareness.

And if any part of this situation feels even remotely familiar to what’s currently in your kitchen, garage, or anywhere in between, now may be the right moment to take a closer look.



The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a recall for the Cosco 2-Step Kitchen Stepper, a foldable stepstool sold at Target, Amazon, Walmart, and other retailers.

The product, designed to provide a convenient lift, may be doing more harm than help due to a faulty safety bar.

Officials have documented 34 reports of the rear safety bar breaking or detaching, two of which resulted in head injuries.

Though not all incidents caused harm, the malfunction presents a very real danger—particularly for children, older adults, and anyone relying on the stepstool for daily tasks.


Roughly 302,000 of these stepstools were distributed in the US and an additional 11,000 in Canada, making this a wide-reaching concern.

The affected units come in a variety of colors including white/gray, green, navy, and blue, and can be identified by a molded Cosco logo on the handle and a model number printed on the arm.

The model numbers subject to recall include: 11349WHG1E, 11349GRN1E, 11349NVY1E, 11349WHG2, 11349GRN4, 11349GRN12, 11349WHG12C, 11349WHG12W, 11349WHG4F, and 11349CBWH4T. If your product matches any of these numbers, it’s critical to take action immediately.

Consumers are being urged to stop using the affected stepstools right away and keep them out of reach of children until they are repaired.



Also read: FDA issues recall for over 64,000 pounds of butter

Even if your unit appears undamaged, officials warn that the defects may not be visible until the moment of failure.

The CPSC strongly recommends not using the safety bar under any circumstances until it has been fixed.

These guidelines are especially important for households that rely on the stool for everyday activities, like reaching cabinets or changing lightbulbs.

To address the defect, Dorel Home Furnishings, the manufacturer of Cosco products, is offering a free repair kit to all impacted consumers.



The kit includes a sliding locking mechanism designed to secure the safety bar and prevent detachment. It also comes with detailed installation instructions and an extra warning label to be placed on the product.

Consumers are encouraged to order the repair kit as soon as possible to avoid potential injury while continuing to use the product.

There are multiple ways to request your free repair kit. You can call Dorel at 1-888-628-3778 (Monday to Friday, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. EST), email [email protected], or visit the Cosco Products Safety Notices page and follow the instructions.

The repair kit will be shipped at no cost. Until you receive and install it, the safest option is to avoid using the product altogether. No receipt is necessary to request the fix, which makes the process straightforward and accessible.



Also read: Health alert: Snack recall affects over 40 states

While waiting for a repair or choosing a replacement, it’s smart to revisit best practices for using stepstools and ladders safely.

Always make sure the stool is placed on level ground and that locking mechanisms are fully secured before stepping up.

Never stand on the top step unless the product clearly states it’s safe to do so. And if you ever feel unsteady, don’t hesitate to ask for assistance or find a more stable option.

Read next: Four recalled products sold on Amazon raise safety concerns—check if you have any of these at home
Have you used this particular stepstool in your home? Have you ever dealt with a product recall that caught you by surprise? If you’ve found a safer alternative, we’d love to know what’s worked for you. Share your thoughts, tips, or experiences in the comments—and help spread the word by passing this along to someone who might need to check their stepstool today.