What was recalled
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a recall notice for a specific dining furniture set manufactured by Whalen under the Bayside Furnishings brand. This action involves the Lawler 9-Piece Dining Set, a substantial piece of home furnishings designed to accommodate larger families or frequent entertainers. The set is composed of one expansive dining table and eight matching chairs, creating a complete dining solution for the home. Consumers should be aware that this recall is limited strictly to this specific configuration and brand combination; other Whalen products or different sets from Bayside Furnishings are not included in this alert.
The dining table featured in this set is distinctively gray in color and engineered with an expandable design. It measures 92 inches in length when closed, but can extend to 110 inches by utilizing a removable leaf, allowing for additional seating flexibility during gatherings. The eight accompanying chairs are designed as ready-to-assemble units, featuring seats upholstered in gray fabric that match the table’s aesthetic. These chairs are not pre-assembled upon purchase and require consumer effort to put together before use.
To identify if your dining set is part of this recall, you must check for specific identifying marks. The UPC (Universal Product Code) number for the recalled dining set is 764053530869. Additionally, the model number CSC9PD-9-R1 is printed on a Bayside Furnishings label that is sewn underneath the seat of each chair in the set. This label is the most reliable way to confirm the identity of your furniture.
This recall affects units sold exclusively at Costco warehouses and through their associated channels. The products were distributed nationwide during this exclusive retail partnership. While the exact number of units sold is not specified in the current report, Whalen has received reports indicating that approximately 178 chairs from these sets have already broken due to the defect. No injuries have been reported to date, but the potential for harm remains significant enough to warrant immediate consumer action.
The recall was officially announced on February 27, 2020. If you purchased this specific Lawler set at Costco prior to or after this date, it is crucial to verify your product against the details provided above. The exclusive nature of the sale means that if you did not buy from Costco, you likely do not have a recalled item, but checking the UPC and model number is always the safest approach.
The hazard, explained
At its core, this recall addresses a structural failure in the dining chairs included in the Bayside Furnishings 9-Piece Dining Set. The specific danger is not merely cosmetic; it is a mechanical breakdown that creates an immediate and unpredictable risk of falling. When you sit in a dining chair, your body weight is transferred through the seat cushion into the frame and down to the legs. Under normal circumstances, this load is distributed evenly across the structure. However, in these recalled chairs, certain components have proven unable to withstand the forces generated during regular use.
The hazard manifests when parts of the chair break or detach. While the exact engineering root cause is detailed in CPSC reports, the physical result is clear: a section of the chair gives way while someone is seated. This could involve a leg snapping, a joint separating, or a support brace failing. Because dining chairs are designed for stability on four points of contact, the failure of even one critical component destabilizes the entire seat. The person sitting in the chair is no longer supported by a rigid frame but by a collapsing structure.
This type of failure leads directly to fall hazards. When the support fails beneath you, gravity takes over instantly. You do not have time to react or brace yourself because the collapse happens faster than human reflexes can respond. The result is often a sudden drop onto the floor. For adults, this can lead to bruises, sprains, or broken bones from the impact. For children, who may be more active or less aware of their center of gravity, the risk is even higher. A child might be leaning back, reaching for food, or shifting weight when the chair fails, increasing the likelihood of a severe fall.
It is important to understand that this is not a rare glitch limited only to heavy use. The recall notes that Whalen has received reports of approximately 178 chairs breaking. This number suggests that the defect is widespread within the affected batch and can occur during typical, everyday dining activities. You do not need to be doing anything unusual for the chair to fail; simply sitting down or shifting your weight while eating can trigger the breakage.
The good news is that, so far, no injuries have been reported. This likely means that many consumers noticed something wrong before a fall occurred, or they were fortunate enough to avoid harm despite the structural failure. However, relying on luck is not a safety strategy. The potential for injury remains real and significant. By understanding that the chair’s frame can fail without warning, you can appreciate why stopping use immediately is the only safe choice. Do not wait for another break to confirm the danger; assume every chair in this set carries the same risk.
Who is most at risk
The primary group affected by this recall includes anyone who purchased the Lawler 9-Piece Dining Set from Bayside Furnishings exclusively through Costco. Because these sets were sold as a complete package, any household that bought this specific dining ensemble between the relevant sales period and the recall date is potentially exposed to the hazard. The risk is not limited to the owners themselves but extends to every individual who regularly uses the furniture for its intended purpose: sitting at the dining table. This includes family members, roommates, guests, and even children who might climb onto or sit on the chairs. Since the defect involves structural failure of the chair components, anyone who puts their weight on a recalled chair is at immediate risk of injury from falling.
While no injuries have been reported to Whalen as of the recall date, the nature of the hazard—sudden breakage while seated—creates a significant potential for harm. The chairs are designed to support an adult’s weight during normal dining activities, which involve shifting posture, leaning forward, or standing up abruptly. When a chair breaks under these conditions, the user loses their support instantly. This is particularly dangerous for individuals who rely on balance and stability to navigate daily life. For example, elderly individuals or those with mobility issues may find it difficult to recover from an unexpected fall, especially if they are seated at table height where the drop distance is greater than that of a standard floor-level seat.
Children and younger adults may also be at risk, not just from the fall itself but from the secondary dangers associated with sudden structural collapse. A child might be less aware of the warning signs of wear or stress on the chair, continuing to use it until it fails. Additionally, in a household setting, multiple people often share the same dining space. If one chair breaks, the shockwave or debris could potentially affect nearby individuals, though the primary risk remains to the person seated. The fact that approximately 178 chairs have already broken indicates that the failure mode is not isolated to manufacturing errors in a few units but may be inherent to the design or materials used in this specific model.
It is important to note that the risk is present regardless of how carefully the chairs are used. The defect lies in the integrity of the chair’s construction, meaning that even gentle use can lead to failure if the component is compromised. Therefore, all users of the recalled set should be considered at risk until they have taken action to remove the chairs from service. This includes not only the primary purchaser but anyone who might borrow or receive the furniture as a gift. The uniformity of the hazard across the batch means that no single user can assume their specific chair is safe based on how it looks or feels. The only way to mitigate this risk is to stop using the chairs immediately and follow the remedy instructions provided by Whalen.
In summary, the group most at risk encompasses everyone who has ever sat in the Lawler 9-Piece Dining Set chairs. This includes adults, children, elderly individuals, and anyone else who uses the furniture for dining or other purposes. The potential for injury is real and significant, even if no injuries have been reported yet. The sudden nature of the breakage means that users may not have time to react or brace themselves, increasing the likelihood of falls and related injuries. It is crucial for all owners to recognize that this is a widespread issue affecting the entire batch of chairs, not just a few defective units. By understanding who is at risk, you can take immediate steps to protect yourself and your loved ones from potential harm.
How to tell if you have the recalled item
If you recently purchased a dining set from Costco, it is important to pause and verify exactly what you bought before continuing to use it. Whalen has issued a recall specifically for the Lawler 9-Piece Dining Set manufactured by Bayside Furnishings. Because this product was sold exclusively at Costco, your first step in identification is to check your receipt or order confirmation email. If you do not have your receipt handy, looking through your Costco purchase history online or checking the back of any assembly instructions can also confirm the retailer.
Once you have confirmed the retailer, you need to inspect the physical product for specific visual and textual markers. This set includes a dining table and eight chairs. The table itself is gray in color. It measures 92 inches in length normally but expands to 110 inches long when you insert the removable leaf. While the table’s appearance can help, the most reliable way to identify the recalled chairs is by looking for specific labels and UPC numbers.
Please check the underside of each chair seat. You should look for a Bayside Furnishings label that has been sewn directly into the fabric. On this label, you will find the model number printed clearly. The specific model number for this recalled set is CSC9PD-9-R1. If you see this model number on the sewn-in tag, your chairs are part of the recall and should not be used. Additionally, you can verify the product by checking the UPC (Universal Product Code) number associated with the dining set. The correct UPC for this specific 9-piece set is 764053530869. If the numbers on your product match these identifiers, it is a confirmed recall item.
The chairs in this set are described as "ready to assemble," meaning they likely came in flat-pack boxes that you put together yourself. They feature gray fabric upholstered seats. It is crucial to distinguish this set from other dining sets Whalen or Bayside Furnishings may produce, as the hazard relates specifically to the construction of these particular chairs which have been reported to break. Do not rely solely on color or style, as similar-looking furniture may be safe. The model number CSC9PD-9-R1 and the UPC 764053530869 are the definitive proof that your item is subject to this recall. If you have any doubt about the model number, it is safer to assume the item is recalled until you can confirm otherwise by contacting Whalen directly.
If you find these identifiers on your dining set, please stop using the chairs immediately. The risk of the chairs breaking and causing a fall is real, even though no injuries have been reported yet. Do not attempt to repair them yourself or try to sell them online. Instead, keep this information handy as you prepare to contact Whalen for your remedy. Identifying the item correctly is the most critical step in ensuring your household’s safety and securing your full refund.
What to do — step by step
If you own the recalled Lawler 9 PC Dining Set by Bayside Furnishings, your immediate priority is to ensure the safety of everyone in your household. The recall notice from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Whalen is clear: you must stop using the dining chairs right away. This is not a suggestion to wait for a convenient time or to finish using the set for another week. Because the chairs have been reported to break, leaving them in use poses a direct fall hazard. Please remove these chairs from your dining area immediately and keep them out of reach of children and pets who might try to sit on them. Do not attempt to repair the chairs yourself with glue, screws, or other DIY fixes, as this will not address the underlying structural defect and may create additional safety risks.
Once the chairs are safely stored away, your next step is to initiate the remedy process. Whalen has committed to providing a full refund to all affected customers. To get started, you should contact Whalen directly. You can reach their customer support team by calling their toll-free number at 833-205-0936. It is important to call during their specified hours of operation, which are from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Pacific Time, Monday through Friday. Have your proof of purchase and the model information ready before you call. Specifically, confirm that your set has the UPC number 764053530869 and that the chairs bear the Bayside Furnishings label sewn underneath the seat with Model Number CSC9PD-9-R1 printed on it.
If you prefer to handle this process online or need more detailed instructions, you can visit the official recall page. Go to www.baysidefurnishings.com and look for the “Recall Notice” link. This section of their website will provide comprehensive guidance on how to proceed with your refund claim. Whalen has also stated that they are contacting all known purchasers directly, so keep an eye on your mail or email for official communication from them. If you have already received a letter or call from Whalen, follow the specific instructions provided in that communication carefully.
During this process, be patient but proactive. Customer service lines may experience high volume given the scope of the recall, which involves approximately 178 reported broken chairs. If you encounter difficulties reaching support online or by phone, try calling at different times during their operational window. Remember, your goal is to secure a full refund and eliminate the hazard from your home. By following these steps—stopping use immediately, verifying your model details, and contacting Whalen through their official channels—you are taking the correct actions to protect your family and resolve the issue efficiently.
Your refund, repair, or replacement options
If you own the recalled Bayside Furnishings dining set, your primary and most straightforward remedy is a full refund. The company responsible for this recall, Whalen, has explicitly stated that consumers should contact them directly to receive their money back. This is not a partial credit or an exchange for store merchandise; it is a complete reimbursement for the price you paid. The logic here is simple: because the structural integrity of the chairs cannot be reliably guaranteed through a DIY fix, the safest path forward is to remove the hazard from your home entirely and restore your financial position to what it was before the purchase.
To initiate this process, you will need to reach out to Whalen’s customer support team. They have established a dedicated toll-free number for this purpose: 833-205-0936. It is important to note their operating hours, as you will only be able to speak with a representative between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm Pacific Time, Monday through Friday. If calling during these windows does not work for your schedule, or if you prefer to handle the administrative details at your own pace, Whalen also offers an online alternative. You can visit their official website at www.baysidefurnishings.com and navigate to the “Recall Notice” link. This digital portal is designed to guide you through the necessary steps without requiring immediate phone contact.
You might wonder if there is a middle ground, such as having Whalen send replacement legs or repair kits. The recall facts provided do not mention any repair options, part replacements, or on-site technician visits. In cases like this, where the failure mode involves the chairs breaking and posing a fall hazard, manufacturers often opt for full refunds rather than repairs because verifying the quality of a third-party fix is difficult and risky. Therefore, you should prepare yourself for the refund process as your only official option from Whalen. They are also contacting all known purchasers directly, so keep an eye on your mail or email for their outreach. If you do not hear from them, do not wait; take the initiative to use the phone number or website provided above.
When you contact Whalen, have your proof of purchase ready if possible, though they may be able to process the refund based on the model number CSC9PD-9-R1 and the UPC 764053530869. Once you have successfully processed the refund, your next step is to dispose of or dismantle the recalled chairs safely. Do not donate them to thrift stores or give them away, as this would put other families at risk. By taking this clear path to a refund, you eliminate the fall hazard completely and ensure your dining room remains a safe space for your family.
What can happen if you ignore it
When a manufacturer issues a recall, the immediate instinct for many people is to pause and assess the inconvenience. You might think, “It’s just a dining chair,” or “I haven’t had an issue yet, so it must be fine.” However, ignoring a structural safety defect transforms a potential problem into a guaranteed risk over time. In this specific case involving the Bayside Furnishings 9-Piece Dining Set, the core danger is not cosmetic wear and tear; it is a fundamental failure of integrity. The chairs are engineered to support weight during daily activities like sitting, standing, and shifting your balance while eating or talking. When the structural components begin to break, that engineering guarantee vanishes.
The most immediate and severe consequence of continuing to use these recalled chairs is the risk of a sudden fall. Because the chairs can break without warning, anyone relying on them for support is vulnerable. This does not only apply to adults. Children who climb onto furniture, elders who rely on sturdy armrests or seat backs to push themselves up from a seated position, or anyone with mobility issues are at particularly high risk. A broken chair offers no stability. If the frame snaps while you are in the middle of sitting down or standing up, you lose your base of support entirely. This often results in falling backward or sideways onto hard floors, which can lead to fractures, head injuries, or sprains that require medical attention.
While Whalen has reported approximately 178 instances of chairs breaking, it is crucial to understand that the current lack of reported injuries does not mean the product is safe. It simply means that, so far, bad luck was avoided in those specific cases. Structural failures are unpredictable. One moment the chair may hold firm; the next, a stress point gives way under normal weight. By ignoring the recall, you are essentially gambling with your physical safety every time you use the furniture. There is no “safe” amount of use when the component itself is defective.
Beyond the immediate physical danger, there is also the practical consequence of wasted effort and delayed resolution. The longer you wait to act, the more likely you are to experience the very incident the recall aims to prevent. Furthermore, delaying contact with Whalen may complicate the process of receiving your full refund. While they are offering a straightforward remedy now, prolonged use of defective goods can lead to additional wear that might blur the lines of warranty or return policies in other contexts. More importantly, you deprive yourself of the peace of mind that comes from knowing your home environment is secure. Your dining room should be a place for connection and comfort, not a hidden hazard zone. Taking action now eliminates the risk entirely, ensuring that your family remains safe while you receive the compensation you are entitled to.
Staying safe: broader tips
While specific product recalls are necessary when manufacturing defects occur, maintaining a safe home environment relies heavily on proactive habits and regular maintenance. Furniture, particularly dining sets that see daily use from adults and children alike, is subject to wear and tear that can compromise its structural integrity over time. One of the most effective ways to prevent accidents is to establish a routine inspection schedule. Rather than waiting for a problem to manifest, periodically check all fasteners, screws, and joints on your dining chairs and tables. Over time, vibration from regular use—especially if children are climbing on or jumping off the furniture—can loosen these connections. Tightening them according to the manufacturer’s guidelines can significantly extend the life of your furniture and prevent unexpected failures.
Another critical aspect of home safety is understanding load limits and proper usage. Many accidents involving dining chairs occur not because the chair was defective, but because it was used in ways it was not designed for. For example, using a standard dining chair as a step stool to reach high shelves places immense stress on legs and joints that are engineered only for seated weight distribution. Similarly, ensuring that children are supervised while eating helps prevent them from standing on seats or leaning too far back, which can cause tipping. Educating family members about the intended use of each piece of furniture is a simple yet powerful preventive measure.
Furthermore, staying informed about product safety is an ongoing responsibility for every household. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and other regulatory bodies issue recalls regularly, but not all consumers receive these alerts automatically. To stay protected, consider signing up for email notifications from the CPSC or creating a free account on their website. This ensures you are alerted immediately if any item in your home is found to be hazardous. Additionally, keep product manuals, warranties, and receipts organized, either physically or digitally. Having this information readily available not only helps you maintain your items properly but also speeds up the process of obtaining remedies if a recall does occur.
Finally, consider the broader context of your home’s safety infrastructure. For instance, ensure that heavy furniture like bookcases and televisions are anchored to walls to prevent tip-overs, a leading cause of pediatric injuries. Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your home and test them monthly. These general practices create a culture of safety that complements the specific steps taken during a recall, ensuring that your home remains a secure place for everyone.