Washington, DC: In September, 2011, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Target Corporation issued a voluntary product safety recall for Embark Resistance Cords and Cord Kits. The resistance cords and cord kits were sold at Target stores nationwide and at Target.com from July 2009 through August 2011 and intended for in-home exercise.
The Target Embark Resistance Cords and Cord Kits recall was announced after the CPSC had received reports of injury from consumers who had used the resistance cords. Two of the individuals who were injured by the resistance cords were blinded as a result. At least one victim, who suffered extensive, permanent eye injuries, filed an Embark Resistance band defective product lawsuit and has since settled with the company for an undisclosed amount.
When in use, the Target Embark Resistance Cords and Cord Kits can unexpectedly malfunction, causing a black plastic ball that is attached to the resistance cord's door anchor to release. When the ball disconnects from the apparatus, it can potentially hit the user and cause injury, including facial fractures, hand injury, eye injury and vision loss.
According to the CPSC Target Embark Resistance Cord recall, the resistance bands are made of green, blue or black rubber with black foam handles and a door attachment. A strap of nylon webbing is looped onto the band with a plastic ball attached to serve as a door anchor. "Embark" is printed on either the black strap attached to the foam handle, or on the middle of the rubber cord.
The Embark Resistance Cord recall includes the following Embark Resistance Cords and Cord Kits:
- Embark Light (tension) Resistance Cord (green)
- Embark Medium (tension) Resistance Cord (blue)
- Embark Heavy (tension) Resistance Cord (black)
- Embark Resistance Cord kit (set of 3 cords in green/blue/black stored in a mesh bag)
