Help! Our TV Stands Are Falling!

From the Consumer Product Safety Commission website:

Name of Product: TV Stands

Manufacturer: Sauder Woodworking Co., of Archbold, Ohio

Hazard: The TV stand can collapse if the fasteners used to connect the metal legs to the lower shelf are not completely tightened during assembly, posing a risk that the TV set can fall onto children or adults.

I don't know about this one… If I don't put something together correctly, should it be recalled? Seriously. What if the screws of my desk weren't completely tightened and it fell and damaged my computer? Would the company that built the desk be made to recall the desk? It just sounds a little stupid to me.

Incidents/Injuries: Sauder has received 43 reports of TV stands collapsing. Most of the reported incidents involved stands that had recently been assembled. Three injuries required medical treatment including a broken arm, a torn rotator cuff with a concussion, and an injured finger. These injuries occurred when consumers attempted to prevent a TV from falling off the stand. In addition, a 6-year-old child received a bruised shoulder when the stand collapsed and a TV fell on her.

Description: The recalled TV Stand measures 23 ¾ inches (h) x 38 ½ inches (w) x 19 ½ inches (d) with a brushed maple finish. The stand has criss-cross, black, wrought-iron legs, a pull-out drawer, and a lower shelf. Model number 400205 and UPC number 42666 01958 are located on the product’s carton and instructions.

Again, shouldn't people make sure all the connectors are fastened and properly tightened before placing the TV on the stand?

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the TV stand immediately if it moves from side-to-side. Consumers should contact Sauder to receive detailed instructions on checking the tightness of the fasteners.

There you have it. The product is not faulty. People don't know what they're doing. How explicit must a company be in explaining exactly how to tighten a screw (PDF)? Will they be forced to offer classes to those who still don't get it? I just think it's assinine to recall a product because people don't read the instructions when it comes to assembling that product.

Anyway, if you are one of those people, you can contact Sauder at (866) 218-8312 between 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, and between 9:00 a.m and 5:00 p.m. ET on Saturday. You can also visit the Sauder website.

I've said it before, but too bad we can't just recall stupid people.