What was recalled
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a significant recall involving residential elevators manufactured by Inclinator Company of America. This is not a limited issue affecting a single batch or a recent production run; rather, it spans a very long period of manufacturing history. The affected units include residential elevators produced from 1979 through 2021. Because this timeframe covers over four decades, if you have an Inclinator home elevator installed in your residence, it is crucial to verify its status immediately, regardless of when it was originally purchased.
The recall specifically targets several distinct models within the Inclinator lineup. These include the Winding Drum model (with capacities ranging from 450 to 1,000 pounds), Hydraulic Drive units, Chain Drive systems, Traction Drive configurations, and Overhead Cable Drum elevators. The brand name "Inclinator" is central to this notice, as these are specialized residential lifts designed for home use, often installed in multi-story houses to assist with mobility or convenience. The sheer variety of drive types and capacities indicates that this hazard is not confined to one specific mechanical design but is a structural issue related to the door gap across multiple product lines.
The CPSC has not released a specific total number of units affected by this recall in the current public record. However, given the 42-year manufacturing window and the widespread use of residential elevators in custom homes, the scope is potentially large. These elevators were sold directly to consumers for installation in their private residences across the United States. There is no specific geographic restriction mentioned in the recall details, meaning these units could be located in any state where Inclinator products were distributed.
To determine if your elevator falls under this recall, you must look at the serial number. The CPSC notes that serial numbers are typically located on the elevator controllers, stamped directly on the rails, or found on the outside of the drum for Winding Drum units. Checking these specific locations is the only reliable way to confirm whether your unit is part of this batch. If your elevator matches the model types listed above and was manufactured between 1979 and 2021, it should be considered part of this recall until you have confirmed otherwise with the manufacturer.
This recall highlights the importance of long-term safety in home infrastructure. Residential elevators are complex mechanical systems that require ongoing maintenance and awareness of potential hazards as they age. The fact that these units have been on the market for so long underscores the need for periodic safety checks, even if no immediate problems were apparent during installation. Consumers who own these systems should not assume that a lack of reported incidents means their unit is safe; rather, they should proactively engage with the manufacturer to address the potential gap hazard.
The hazard, explained
To understand why this recall is so serious, it helps to visualize the specific physical gap that creates the danger. Inclinator residential elevators are designed with two distinct openings: the exterior landing door, which allows you to step into the elevator car from a hallway or room, and the interior car door or gate, which seals off the passenger compartment from the vertical shaft (the hoistway) where the elevator moves. Under normal, safe conditions, these doors operate in sync or with such tight tolerances that there is no significant space for a person to slip through between them.
The hazard identified in this recall arises when a "hazardous gap" exists between the exterior landing door and the interior car door or gate. This is not merely a cosmetic issue; it is a structural vulnerability. If the alignment is off, the wear on the components is excessive, or the design allows for clearance beyond safe limits, a space opens up that is invisible to the casual observer but dangerous to a small child. Young children, particularly toddlers and preschoolers, are naturally curious and may attempt to squeeze through narrow openings they find interesting or intriguing. Unlike adults, who can easily see and avoid such gaps, young children often lack the spatial awareness to realize they are entering a confined space from which they cannot easily escape.
The mechanism of injury is both simple and terrifyingly effective. When a child becomes entrapped in this gap, their body can become wedged between the stationary exterior door frame and the moving interior gate or door. The danger escalates dramatically when the elevator is called to another floor. As the elevator car begins to move, whether upward or downward, the interior door or gate moves with it. If a child is trapped in the gap, their head, limbs, or torso can be caught between the moving parts of the elevator mechanism and the fixed structure of the building. This can lead to crushing injuries, strangulation, or severe trauma.
The CPSC notes that this risk results in serious injury or death because the forces involved in a residential elevator are significant. Even at slow speeds, the pressure exerted on a small child’s body as the elevator car moves can cause irreversible harm. The gap essentially turns a safety feature—the elevator door—into a trap. This is why the remedy focuses on "space guards." These devices are designed to bridge the gap physically, ensuring that no matter how the doors align, there is no opening large enough for a child to enter. Without these guards, the elevator remains a latent danger, especially in homes with unsupervised young children who may wander into the hallway or room where the elevator is located.
It is important to note that this hazard is not always obvious. An elevator can appear to function perfectly well, opening and closing smoothly, while still possessing a dangerous gap of several inches. This invisibility is what makes proactive measurement and installation of space guards so critical. You cannot rely on visual inspection alone to determine if your specific unit is at risk; you must measure the gap according to the manufacturer's instructions to ensure it falls within safe parameters.
Who is most at risk
The primary individuals at risk in this recall are unsupervised young children, particularly toddlers and preschoolers who are naturally curious and still developing their understanding of physical boundaries. The recalled Inclinator residential elevators, which were installed in private homes between 1979 and 2021, present a specific and severe danger to this demographic due to the design of the elevator doors. When a young child wanders into an elevator lobby or landing area, they may become entrapped in the hazardous gap between the exterior hoistway door and the interior car door or gate. This space can be deceptively wide, allowing a small child’s body to slip through while their head or limbs remain trapped.
The danger is compounded by the mechanics of how these elevators operate. If a child becomes caught in this gap, they are vulnerable to serious injury or death if the elevator is accidentally called to another floor. The movement of the elevator car can cause crushing injuries or strangulation, which are catastrophic outcomes for a small body. Because young children often lack the strength or cognitive ability to free themselves from such a trap, and because they may not understand the danger until it is too late, they are uniquely vulnerable to this specific hazard.
While the recall specifically highlights the risk to young children, it is important to note that anyone using these residential elevators should be aware of the potential for entrapment. However, the severity of the consequences makes children the most critical group to protect. Parents and guardians must remain vigilant, especially in homes where these older models are still in use. The recall does not report any incidents to date, but the potential for tragedy is high enough that immediate action is necessary.
To mitigate this risk, it is crucial to keep unsupervised young children away from the recalled elevators entirely until the space guards have been installed. This means ensuring that children do not play in or around elevator landings and that doors are never left open unattended. By understanding who is most at risk, homeowners can take proactive steps to secure their homes and prevent any potential accidents.
- Unsupervised young children: Those under the age of five are most likely to wander into elevator areas and lack the awareness to avoid danger.
- Children with disabilities: Children with mobility or cognitive challenges may be even more susceptible to entrapment due to difficulties in navigating around or understanding door mechanisms.
By focusing on protecting these vulnerable groups, homeowners can significantly reduce the risk associated with the recalled Inclinator residential elevators. Immediate attention to this issue is not just a matter of compliance, but a critical step in ensuring the safety of everyone in the household.
How to tell if you have the recalled item
If you are unsure whether your home elevator is part of this recall, the most reliable way to know is to check the specific manufacturing details stamped directly onto the equipment itself. This recall covers a very long production history, so simply knowing the brand name isn't enough. You need to verify both the model type and the serial number location to confirm if your unit falls within the affected range.
First, identify the brand. The recalled products are manufactured by Inclinator Company of America. If your elevator has different branding, it is not part of this specific recall. Next, determine the type of drive system your elevator uses. The recall applies to residential elevators with one of the following drive mechanisms:
- Winding Drum (specifically models rated between 450 and 1,000 lb.)
- Hydraulic Drive
- Chain Drive
- Traction Drive
- Overhead Cable Drum
If your elevator uses a different mechanism not listed above, it is likely not included in this recall. However, the most critical step is checking the manufacturing date. This recall applies to residential elevators manufactured from 1979 through 2021. If your unit was built before 1979 or after 2021, it is generally outside the scope of this specific notice, though you should always consult the official recall details for absolute certainty.
To confirm your exact model and serial number, you need to look at the physical hardware of the elevator. The serial numbers are not usually on a sticker in the lobby; they are stamped directly onto the metal components. Check the following locations:
- The elevator controllers: Look for a metal plate or stamped text on the control cabinet.
- The rails: The serial number may be stamped directly onto the guide rails of the elevator car.
- The drum (for Winding Drum units only): For these specific models, the serial number is located on the outside of the drum itself.
Once you have found the serial number and confirmed the model type, you can be confident about whether your elevator is affected. If you cannot locate these details or are unsure how to interpret them, do not guess. Contact Inclinator Company directly using the toll-free number provided in the recall notice or visit their dedicated recall website for assistance. It is better to take a few extra minutes to verify than to assume safety when there may be a risk.
What to do — step by step
If you own a residential elevator from Inclinator manufactured between 1979 and 2021, the first and most critical action you must take is immediate risk mitigation. The recall notice highlights a specific danger: young children can become entrapped in the hazardous gap between the exterior landing door and the interior elevator car door. Because this entrapment can lead to serious injury or death when the elevator moves to another floor, you should immediately keep unsupervised young children away from the recalled units. This is not a step you should delay. Treat the space around the elevator doors as a restricted area for little ones until the issue is formally resolved. While you wait for further instructions, do not attempt to measure or install any components yourself without guidance, as improper handling could inadvertently worsen the gap or create new hazards.
- Contact the manufacturer immediately. Reach out to Inclinator Company to initiate the remedy process. You can call their toll-free number at 833-620-2949 between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday. Alternatively, visit www.home-elevator-door-gap.com or go to www.inclinator.com and click on "Recall" at the bottom of the page. When you contact them, have your elevator’s serial number ready, as it is stamped on the rails, located on the elevator controllers, or on the outside of the drum for Winding Drum units.
- Request instructions for measuring for space guards. The primary remedy involves correcting the hazardous gap using space guards. Inclinator has stated they will provide these guards free of charge. During your contact, ask for clear, step-by-step instructions on how to measure your specific model to ensure you get the correct size space guard. Accurate measurement is vital because an ill-fitting guard may not prevent entrapment.
- Arrange for installation assistance if needed. You do not necessarily have to install the space guards yourself. Inclinator has offered assistance with space guard installation upon request. If you are uncomfortable performing this task or lack the necessary tools, explicitly ask for this support when you contact them. This ensures the gap is corrected safely and effectively by those who understand the specific engineering requirements of your Winding Drum, Hydraulic Drive, Chain Drive, Traction Drive, or Overhead Cable Drum model.
- Verify completion and safety. Once the space guard has been installed, confirm with Inclinator that the hazardous gap has been properly addressed. Keep a record of your communication and any work orders for your files. Only after you have received confirmation that the remediation is complete should you consider allowing unsupervised access to the area again, though general supervision of young children near all home elevators remains a good practice.
Your refund, repair, or replacement options
If you have determined that your residential elevator is part of this recall, the first and most important thing to understand is that the manufacturer, Inclinator Company of America, has structured a remedy that focuses entirely on safety correction rather than financial reimbursement. It is natural to wonder if you are entitled to a refund for your purchase or compensation for the inconvenience, but based on the current recall facts provided by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), there is no mention of monetary refunds or cash settlements. Instead, the remedy is strictly physical and technical: correcting the hazardous gap that poses the entrapment risk. This distinction is vital because it shifts your focus from a transactional resolution to a safety upgrade. The goal here is not to return the product for money, but to make the existing equipment safe for continued use in your home.
The core of the remedy involves the installation of "space guards." These are specialized devices designed to measure and cover the dangerous gap between the exterior landing door and the interior elevator car door. Inclinator has committed to providing these space guards free of charge to all affected consumers. This means you do not need to purchase any parts out of pocket to comply with the recall. However, simply having the part is only half the solution; the second half is ensuring it is installed correctly to effectively eliminate the entrapment hazard. Recognizing that proper installation requires technical precision, Inclinator offers assistance with the installation process upon request. This support is a critical component of the remedy, as it ensures that the safety gap is measured and covered accurately, rather than leaving homeowners to guess at the necessary specifications.
To access these free space guards and arrange for installation assistance, you must take proactive steps to contact the manufacturer directly. Do not rely on third-party repair services or general customer support lines that may not have access to recall-specific protocols. You should reach out to Inclinator Company via their dedicated toll-free number at 833-620-2949. It is important to note the specific hours of operation for this line: they are available from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. If you prefer digital communication or wish to review detailed instructions before calling, you can visit their dedicated recall webpage at www.home-elevator-door-gap.com. Alternatively, you may navigate to the main site at www.inclinator.com and click on "Recall" located at the bottom of the page for comprehensive information.
When you contact Inclinator, be prepared to provide your elevator’s model type and serial number to verify eligibility. The recall covers units manufactured from 1979 through 2021, including Winding Drum, Hydraulic Drive, Chain Drive, Traction Drive, and Overhead Cable Drum models. Serial numbers can typically be found on the elevator controllers, stamped on the rails, or on the outside of the drum for Winding Drum units. By following these steps, you ensure that your home elevator is brought up to current safety standards without any cost to you, effectively mitigating the risk of serious injury or death to young children while allowing you to keep your equipment.