What was recalled
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recently announced a significant recall involving residential elevators manufactured by Residential Elevators, Inc. This action affects specific home elevator systems that have been installed in private residences across the country. The recall is not limited to a single type of unit; rather, it encompasses a broad range of models designed for domestic use. Consumers who have these elevators installed in their homes need to identify whether their specific system is among those affected by this safety notice.
The recalled products include the following Residential Elevators, Inc. models: the Easy Rider, the Horizon Lift, the Luxury Lift, the Luxury Lift Hydraulic, the Luxury Lift Traction, and the RE model. It is important for homeowners to verify their specific equipment against this list. The brand identity for these units is clearly marked; you can confirm that you have a Residential Elevators product by looking at the light fixture located within the operating panel inside the elevator cab. If the brand name "Residential Elevators" is printed on that light, your unit falls under the scope of this recall.
These elevators are designed for use in consumers' homes, providing vertical transportation between floors. While they offer convenience and accessibility for many households, the specific units involved in this recall have been identified as posing a serious safety risk due to their design characteristics. The recall was issued on August 11, 2022, indicating that this is an ongoing issue that requires immediate attention from affected owners. If you purchased or had these elevators installed in your home, it is crucial to take steps to verify your model and understand the implications of this safety alert.
The scope of the recall is defined by the manufacturer's product line rather than a specific batch number or installation date range, as the hazard is inherent to the design of these particular models. This means that any home elevator matching the described brands and types should be treated with caution until proper remediation steps are taken. Homeowners are encouraged to check their operating panels immediately to confirm whether their elevator is part of this recall group.
The hazard, explained
To understand why this recall is so critical, it helps to look closely at the physical design of residential elevators and how they interact with their surroundings. These home lifts are typically installed in a vertical shaft, known as the hoistway, which runs through the house from floor to floor. The elevator car itself moves up and down within this shaft, stopping at various levels where doors allow passengers to enter or exit. Under normal circumstances, the exterior door on the landing (the wall of the house) and the interior door on the elevator car are designed to work in tandem, creating a secure barrier when the car is not present.
The specific danger identified by the Consumer Product Safety Commission arises from the gap between these two points of entry. When an elevator car is not stopped at a particular floor, there should be no way for anyone to reach into the shaft. However, in the recalled models—including the Easy Rider, Horizon Lift, Luxury Lift, and others—there can be a hazardous space or gap between the exterior landing door frame and the interior door or gate of the elevator car. This gap may seem small from a distance, but it is wide enough and deep enough to pose a severe threat to young children.
The mechanism of injury is both sudden and tragic. A curious toddler or young child, drawn by the movement of the elevator or simply exploring their environment, can climb through or reach into this gap. Once their head, arm, or torso becomes lodged in the space between the stationary exterior door and the moving interior gate, they become entrapped. The situation escalates rapidly because these are not static structures; they are part of a mechanical system designed to move. If the elevator is called to another floor while a child is stuck in that gap, the car will begin to travel. This can cause crushing injuries, strangulation, or fatal trauma as the moving gate presses against the child’s body with significant force.
This is not merely a theoretical risk; it is a documented reality. The company has confirmed one incident involving one of its residential elevators installed by an independent installer, where a child suffered a serious spinal injury due to this exact entrapment hazard. While the gap might appear harmless to an adult, for a small child, it acts as a trap. The combination of a confined space and moving machinery creates a high-risk scenario that can lead to permanent disability or death. Understanding this physical dynamic is essential because it highlights why simply locking the door may not be enough if the structural gap remains unaddressed.
The severity of this hazard underscores the importance of immediate action. The CPSC’s classification of this risk as leading to "serious injury or death" reflects the mechanical reality that elevator motors are powerful and cannot stop instantly once activated. Therefore, eliminating the physical space where a child can become trapped is the only effective way to prevent these catastrophic outcomes.
Who is most at risk
When we discuss the serious safety concerns surrounding this recall of Residential Elevators, Inc. home lifts, it is crucial to understand that the primary vulnerability lies with young children, specifically those who are unsupervised. The hazard described by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is not a mechanical failure of the elevator in the traditional sense, but rather a structural gap. Young children possess a unique combination of physical size and developmental curiosity that makes them disproportionately susceptible to this specific danger. Their small stature allows them to slip into spaces that adults cannot navigate or even see clearly. When a child enters the narrow space between the exterior landing door and the interior elevator car gate, they can become trapped. This is not merely an inconvenience; it is a life-threatening situation where the child may be unable to free themselves, leading to crush injuries, suffocation, or entrapment that results in serious injury or death.
The risk is particularly acute during moments when parents or guardians are distracted or physically separated from the elevator area. Because these elevators are installed in private residences, the environment can feel safe and familiar, which may lead to a false sense of security. However, the gap between the doors remains a constant physical threat regardless of who is operating the lift. The incident reported by Residential Elevators, Inc. involved a child suffering a serious spinal injury, underscoring that this is not a theoretical risk but a documented reality. While the company has only recorded one such incident to date, the potential for harm is severe enough that immediate precautions are necessary for any household with young children.
It is also important to consider who else might be in the home and how they interact with these devices. While elderly individuals or those with mobility issues rely on these elevators for independence and safety, they are generally less likely to fall into the gap due to their size and controlled movement. However, they may be at risk if a child is present and becomes trapped while they are attempting to assist or use the elevator. The dynamic of a multi-generational home means that the safety measures must protect the most vulnerable user—the small child—without compromising the utility for others. Therefore, the focus of this recall is on preventing access by unsupervised young children until the hazardous gap can be corrected with the provided space guards.
If you have young children in your home, especially those under the age of five who are naturally curious and mobile, you must treat the recalled elevators as a potential danger zone. The combination of their size, strength, and lack of awareness regarding mechanical dangers makes them the primary group at risk. Until you receive the free space guards and have them installed, the only reliable way to protect them is through strict supervision and physical barriers that prevent entry into the hoistway area.
How to tell if you have the recalled item
Identifying whether your home elevator is part of this specific recall requires a careful look at your equipment, focusing on two key details: the brand name and the model designation. Because these units are installed directly into residential homes, they are not sold in typical retail stores like hardware shops or department stores. Instead, they were custom-installed by independent installers at various times. This means you likely won’t find a receipt from a big-box retailer. Your best starting point is the elevator cab itself, specifically the interior operating panel.
The most definitive way to confirm if your unit is affected is to look for the brand name printed on the light fixture within the interior operating panel of the elevator cab. The recall covers units manufactured by Residential Elevators, Inc., and this brand name should be clearly visible on that internal light. If you see "Residential Elevators" printed there, it is highly likely your unit is part of this recall. However, knowing the brand is only the first step. You must also verify the specific model of your elevator to ensure it falls within the affected list.
The recalled models include the Easy Rider, Horizon Lift, Luxury Lift, Luxury Lift Hydraulic, Luxury Lift Traction, and the RE series. If you can find a nameplate or label inside the cab, near the control panel, look for one of these model names. If you cannot locate a clear label with the model number, do not guess. The presence of the Residential Elevators brand on the interior light is the primary identifier provided in this recall notice.
If you are unsure or cannot find the necessary information yourself, the safest course of action is to contact the manufacturer directly. They have set up dedicated channels to help homeowners identify their units. You can call Residential Elevators, Inc. toll-free at 877-794-3032 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday. Alternatively, you can visit their website at www.ResidentialElevators.com and click on "Recall Information" on the home page, or go directly to www.ResidentialElevators.com/recall for more details. If you still have questions after checking these resources, you can email them at doorgapsafety@residentialelevators.com. It is always better to verify your specific unit than to assume it is safe.
What to do — step by step
If you own a Residential Elevators, Inc. home elevator and are concerned about the potential for child entrapment, taking immediate and careful action is essential. The primary goal here is not to panic, but to systematically eliminate the risk while awaiting the official remedy. Because the hazard involves young children becoming trapped in the gap between the elevator car door and the landing door, your immediate priority must be physical separation. Please remember that this guidance is based on the specific remedy provided by the company for this recall; it does not replace professional installation advice but provides a clear path to safety.
Step 1: Secure the Area Immediately
Your first and most critical action is to ensure that unsupervised young children are kept completely away from the recalled residential elevator. Do not rely on the elevator’s standard safety features alone, as the hazardous gap exists regardless of whether the elevator is moving or stationary. If you have toddlers or young children who are curious about doors or confined spaces, treat this elevator with the same caution you would a swimming pool or an open staircase. Ensure that older siblings or other household members understand that they must not allow younger children to play near, lean against, or enter the elevator cab. This barrier is your only protection until the physical modification is made.
Step 2: Gather Your Product Information
Before you contact the company, locate your specific model number. The recall covers several models, including the Easy Rider, Horizon Lift, Luxury Lift, Luxury Lift Hydraulic, Luxury Lift Traction, and RE units. You can verify your unit by looking at the operating panel inside the elevator cab; the Residential Elevators brand name will be printed on the light fixture within that panel. Having this information ready will streamline the support process when you reach out to them.
Step 3: Contact Residential Elevators, Inc. for Instructions
Reach out to the manufacturer to initiate the remedy. You have three convenient ways to connect with their recall team:
- Phone: Call their toll-free number at 877-794-3032. They are available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday.
- Email: Send your inquiry to doorgapsafety@residentialelevators.com for written documentation of your request.
- Online: Visit www.ResidentialElevators.com/recall or go to the main homepage and click on "Recall Information."
Step 4: Install the Space Guards
Once you receive the space guards and follow the provided instructions (or have them installed by a professional), ensure that the gap between the exterior landing door and the interior car door is effectively closed. This physical barrier prevents a child from slipping into the dangerous space if the elevator is called to another floor. Do not resume normal, unsupervised use of the elevator for young children until this modification is complete and verified.
Your refund, repair, or replacement options
If you own one of the affected Residential Elevators models—specifically the Easy Rider, Horizon Lift, Luxury Lift, Luxury Lift Hydraulic, Luxury Lift Traction, or RE—you do not need to panic about replacing your entire system. The remedy provided by the manufacturer and outlined in this recall is focused on correcting the specific safety gap rather than a full unit replacement. Residential Elevators, Inc. has committed to providing space guards free of charge to all affected consumers. These components are designed to bridge the hazardous gap between the exterior landing door and the interior elevator car door or gate, effectively eliminating the entrapment risk for young children.
To initiate this process, you must contact the manufacturer directly. Residential Elevators, Inc. is offering two primary avenues for assistance: a toll-free phone line and an email address dedicated to this issue. You can reach them at 877-794-3032 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. Alternatively, you may send an inquiry to doorgapsafety@residentialelevators.com. When you reach out, they will provide you with detailed instructions on how to measure your specific elevator to ensure the space guards fit correctly. This step is crucial because proper measurement ensures that the guards function as intended without interfering with the normal operation of the elevator doors.
In addition to supplying the hardware at no cost, Residential Elevators, Inc. offers further support by providing assistance with the installation of these space guards upon request. This is a significant benefit, as it ensures that the safety correction is performed correctly, reducing the likelihood of user error during the modification process. You do not need to navigate this technical task alone; the manufacturer is prepared to guide you through the physical installation steps if you need that level of support.
You can also find additional recall information online by visiting www.ResidentialElevators.com/recall or by going to the main homepage at www.ResidentialElevators.com and clicking on "Recall Information." While the recall notice does not explicitly offer a monetary refund for the purchase price of the elevator, the provision of free safety components and professional installation support serves as the primary remedy. This approach prioritizes immediate physical safety over financial compensation, which is common in product recalls involving mechanical hazards where the defect can be mitigated through modification. It is important to act promptly, as the risk of serious injury or death to young children remains until the space guards are properly installed.
What can happen if you ignore it
It is completely understandable why a homeowner might hesitate to stop using their residential elevator. These systems are designed for convenience and accessibility, often serving as a vital link between floors in multi-level homes. When faced with a recall notice, the immediate reaction is frequently one of inconvenience: scheduling service appointments, waiting for parts, and dealing with the temporary loss of a daily utility. However, choosing to ignore this specific recall or continuing to use the elevator without implementing the required safety measures introduces a risk that goes far beyond mere hassle. The hazard identified in this recall is not a minor mechanical glitch; it is a structural gap that creates a lethal trap for young children.
The core danger lies in the space between the exterior landing door and the interior car door or gate. For an adult, this gap may be wide enough to see through or narrow enough to avoid falling into, but for a toddler or young child, it presents a terrifyingly different reality. Children are naturally curious and mobile, often exploring spaces that look like solid barriers to adults but are actually just openings. If a hazardous gap exists, a young child can slip through the exterior door and become entrapped in the narrow space between the building’s floor level and the elevator car itself.
Once entrapped, the consequences can be immediate and catastrophic. The recall notice explicitly warns of the risk of serious injury or death. This is not hyperbole; it is based on the physical reality of how these elevators operate. If a child becomes stuck in this gap and the elevator is subsequently called to another floor, the car will move. This movement can cause severe crushing injuries, spinal trauma, or strangulation. We know this is a real possibility because Residential Elevators, Inc. has confirmed at least one incident involving a recalled unit installed by an independent installer. In that case, a child suffered a serious spinal injury. While one incident may seem like a small number statistically, for the family involved, it represents a life-altering tragedy that could have been prevented with simple space guards.
Ignoring the recall also means ignoring the fact that these gaps do not fix themselves. Without the free space guards provided by the manufacturer, the hazard remains active every single time the elevator is used. You might feel confident that you can supervise your children closely enough to prevent them from approaching the doors. However, accidents often happen in split seconds, during moments of distraction, or when a child wanders into a room unattended. Relying on vigilance alone is not a safety strategy; it is a gamble with your child’s life. The recall remedy provides a permanent, physical barrier that removes the need for constant, anxious monitoring. By delaying action, you are essentially leaving a known, unaddressed trap in your home, hoping that bad luck will never strike. Given the severity of potential outcomes, there is no benefit to waiting when the solution is free and readily available.