Cost Plus World Market Recalls Girona Outdoor Dining Chairs Due to Fall Hazard

What was recalled

If you have been browsing for stylish, weather-ready furniture to enhance your patio or outdoor living space, you may have encountered the Girona Outdoor Dining Chairs sold by Cost Plus World Market. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a recall for these specific chairs due to a structural defect that compromises their safety. This recall, announced on October 10, 2017, targets a particular line of outdoor wooden dining chairs that were marketed as durable and aesthetically pleasing, but which ultimately failed to meet basic safety standards regarding the connection between the seat and the backrest.

The recalled product is specifically identified as the Girona Outdoor Dining Chair. These are freestanding chairs constructed with a wooden frame featuring four legs. The defining visual characteristic of this model is its back and seat, which are crafted from flat, woven weather-resistant wicker straps. This design was intended to provide both comfort and resilience against the elements, allowing the chair to withstand outdoor conditions while maintaining an elegant appearance. However, the very construction that gave these chairs their distinctive look also contained a critical flaw: the point where the back of the chair meets the seat (the tenon joint) is prone to separating under normal use.

To help you identify whether your specific chair is part of this recall, it is essential to check the labels attached to the item. The affected chairs were sold in two distinct color options: white and grey. Each color variant has a unique Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) and Universal Product Code (UPC) that serves as the definitive identifier for inclusion in this recall. If you have the white version of the Girona chair, it will bear the SKU 536034 and the UPC 0000002536034. Conversely, if your chair is grey, it will display the SKU 536033 and the same UPC number, 0000002536033. You can find these codes on the UPC ticket that is physically attached to the underside of the chair seat. It is important to note that without verifying these specific numbers, it is impossible to confirm if your chair is among those recalled.

While the provided recall facts do not specify the exact quantity of units sold or the specific geographic regions where they were distributed, the scope of the hazard is clear. The chairs were available for purchase at Cost Plus World Market retail stores and likely through their online channels during the period preceding the recall date. If you own a Girona chair with the matching SKU/UPC codes mentioned above, it falls within the scope of this safety alert. The absence of information regarding other models or colors in the official record means we must strictly limit our focus to these specific white and grey wicker-strapped chairs identified by the codes provided.

The hazard, explained

When you sit in a dining chair, you instinctively trust that the structure holding you up will remain solid and unyielding. The Girona outdoor dining chairs recalled by Cost Plus World Market were designed to look elegant and durable, featuring flat woven weather-resistant wicker straps over a wooden frame. However, the engineering flaw lies not in the visible materials, but in the hidden connection points where different parts of the chair meet. Specifically, the hazard centers on the tenon joint. In woodworking, a tenon is a protruding piece of wood that fits into a corresponding hole (a mortise) to join two pieces together securely. In these chairs, this critical joint connects the seat base—the part you sit on—to the chair back. Over time, or due to manufacturing inconsistencies in how tightly this joint was fitted, the connection can fail.

The mechanism of failure is surprisingly simple but dangerous: the tenon joint separates. When this joint breaks free from its mortise, the structural integrity of the chair is instantly compromised. The seat base is no longer anchored to the backrest. Instead of acting as a single, rigid unit that distributes your weight across four legs and a supportive back, the chair becomes two disconnected pieces. If you are seated when this separation occurs, the back support vanishes beneath you. The chair does not merely wobble; it collapses inward or tilts violently because the primary load-bearing connection has been severed.

This sudden collapse creates a significant fall hazard. Because the failure happens without warning, there is no time for your muscles to react and stabilize yourself. You are effectively dropped from a seated position onto the ground or patio surface below. The recalled chairs were intended for outdoor dining, often placed on hard surfaces like concrete patios, stone decks, or wooden porches. Falling from waist height onto these surfaces can lead to impact injuries. In this specific recall, two incidents have been reported where in-store display chairs collapsed while customers were testing them out. Those customers suffered minor cuts and bruises, likely from the sharp edges of the broken wood or wicker, as well as the impact of the fall itself.

While the reports mention only minor injuries so far, the potential for more serious harm is real. A sudden collapse while standing up or sitting down can cause you to lose your balance entirely, leading to falls that might result in broken bones, head injuries, or sprains, particularly for older adults or those with mobility issues. The three reported incidents of joint separation indicate that this is a systemic design or manufacturing defect, not an isolated accident. Understanding this physical breakdown helps clarify why the remedy is a full refund rather than a repair; the internal joinery is not accessible or safe to fix once the structural bond has failed.

Who is most at risk

The Girona outdoor dining chairs are designed for general adult use, typically placed on patios, decks, or in garden settings to enhance outdoor entertaining. While the product is marketed toward homeowners who enjoy al fresco dining, the specific nature of this recall—a sudden structural failure where the seat base separates from the chair back—creates a hazard that affects users differently based on their physical stability and age. Understanding who is most vulnerable helps explain why the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Cost Plus World Market are urging immediate removal of these items from homes.

Children and younger individuals who may be climbing on or testing the durability of outdoor furniture are at a heightened risk. If a child were to sit, lean back, or jump onto one of these chairs, the sudden collapse of the seat base could cause them to fall backward or sideways with little warning. Because children often have less developed balance reflexes and may not brace themselves effectively against a falling object, they are more likely to sustain injuries such as head trauma, fractures, or lacerations from hitting the ground or sharp edges of the broken wicker straps.

Elderly adults and individuals with mobility issues also face disproportionate danger in this scenario. The recalled chairs feature flat woven weather-resistant wicker straps that can become brittle over time, especially if exposed to harsh sun and rain. For an older person relying on the chair for support when sitting down or standing up, a sudden separation of the tenon joint means losing critical stability. A fall from a seated position, even at a low height, can be devastating for seniors. As noted in the incident reports, customers have already suffered minor cuts and bruises; however, for someone with fragile bones or slower healing capabilities, such a fall could lead to serious complications like hip fractures or long-term mobility loss.

Even able-bodied adults are not immune to the risks posed by this defect. The hazard is unpredictable because the separation of the tenon joint—the connection point between the chair’s back and seat—can happen without visible warning signs until it is too late. Anyone using the chair for its intended purpose, such as dining or relaxing, could find themselves falling to the ground, potentially resulting in sprains, bruises, or cuts from the broken wicker materials. The fact that two in-store display chairs collapsed under customer weight highlights that this is not just a wear-and-tear issue over many years, but a fundamental structural flaw that can affect anyone who puts their weight on the chair.

Ultimately, the risk extends to any household that owns these white or grey Girona chairs, regardless of who sits in them. Because the failure involves the core structural integrity of the seating area, no user is safe from a potential collapse. The combination of outdoor exposure, which accelerates material degradation, and the specific design flaw in the joint makes this a universal hazard for all owners until they take action to return the product.

How to tell if you have the recalled item

Identifying whether your outdoor furniture is part of this specific recall requires a careful visual inspection and a quick check of the product labels. The items in question are Girona outdoor wooden dining chairs produced by Cost Plus World Market. These chairs have a distinct design that should help you narrow down your search if you bought from their stores or website around the time of the sale. The primary structure is made of wood, featuring four sturdy legs. The backrest and the seat are constructed from flat, woven weather-resistant wicker straps, which gives the chair its characteristic look. When you look at the chairs, you will notice they are available in only two specific color options: white or grey.

To confirm if your chair is one of the affected units, you must locate the UPC ticket. This label is not on the outside of the chair where it might be seen during casual use; instead, it is attached to the underside of the chair seat. You will need to flip the chair over or look underneath the seat frame to find this sticker. The information on this ticket is the definitive proof needed to determine if your item is included in the recall.

Once you have found the UPC ticket, check for one of the following two specific SKU/UPC combinations. If your ticket matches either of these codes, your chair is part of the recall and must be returned immediately:

• White Chairs: Look for SKU/UPC 536034 / 0000002536034.
• Grey Chairs: Look for SKU/UPC 536033 / 0000002536033.

If you cannot find the ticket, or if the numbers do not match these two codes, your chair is likely not part of this specific recall. However, because the hazard involves the structural integrity of the tenon joint connecting the seat to the back, it is always wise to inspect any older outdoor furniture for signs of wear or loosening. But strictly speaking, only the Girona chairs with the specific UPCs listed above are subject to this mandatory return. Do not rely on the color alone to make your decision, as both white and grey models were recalled.

What to do — step by step

Your refund, repair, or replacement options

If you have been using your Girona outdoor dining chair and are wondering how to resolve the situation, the remedy provided by Cost Plus World Market is straightforward and consumer-friendly: a full refund. It is important to understand that this recall does not offer a repair kit, a partial credit toward a new item, or an automatic replacement of the same model. The company has determined that the structural integrity of the tenon joint connecting the seat base to the chair back cannot be reliably fixed by the consumer or through standard service channels. Therefore, the only official remedy is to return the product for a complete reimbursement of your purchase price. This approach prioritizes your safety over convenience, ensuring that you are not left with a potentially compromised piece of furniture while navigating the complexities of do-it-yourself fixes.

To initiate this process, you must take physical action to return the chairs. You cannot simply call and mail them in without following specific store protocols. The recall notice explicitly states that consumers should return the recalled chairs to any Cost Plus World Market or World Market store location. This in-person return policy simplifies the logistics for many customers, as it eliminates the need to package heavy wooden furniture for shipping, which can be costly and cumbersome. When you visit a store, bring the chair with you if possible. If the chair is large or difficult to transport, it may be helpful to contact the specific store location first to confirm their current acceptance procedures for oversized returns due to this recall.

Before you head to the store, it is wise to have your proof of purchase ready, although the SKU and UPC codes on the ticket attached to the underside of the seat base serve as critical identifiers for the recall. Ensure that the chair you are returning matches one of the specific models involved: the white version with SKU/UPC 536034/0000002536034 or the grey version with SKU/UPC 536033/0000002536033. The presence of the UPC ticket is the primary way to verify that your specific item is part of this recall batch. If you have lost the ticket, the physical characteristics described—outdoor wooden dining chairs with four legs and a back and seat made of flat woven weather-resistant wicker straps—along with the brand name, will help store associates identify the product.

If you encounter any difficulties returning the chair to a physical location, or if you have questions about the refund process that are not answered by the store staff, you can reach out directly to Cost Plus World Market for assistance. You may call their toll-free number at 877-967-5362. These customer service representatives are available from 7 a.m. to midnight ET daily, providing ample time to resolve any issues regardless of your schedule. Alternatively, you can visit the company’s website at www.worldmarket.com and navigate to the “Product Recalls” section for additional information and guidance. This digital resource serves as an official channel for updates and further instructions if your local store experience requires support.

Understanding why a full refund is the chosen remedy helps contextualize the inconvenience. The hazard involves the seat base separating from the chair back, leading to collapse. Because this failure can occur suddenly and cause falls resulting in injuries such as cuts and bruises, as seen in the reported incidents, repairing the joint is not considered a safe option. The company has received reports of separation and collapses, indicating that the defect is inherent to the manufacturing or design of these specific units rather than wear and tear over time. By opting for a full refund, Cost Plus World Market ensures that you are financially made whole and can replace the unsafe chair with a different, safer product if needed. This decision underscores the seriousness of the fall hazard and their commitment to removing dangerous products from consumer homes promptly.

As you prepare your refund, remember to stop using the chairs immediately. The remedy is not just a financial transaction but a critical safety step. Until you have successfully returned the chair and received confirmation of your refund, continue to keep the item away from your home and out of reach of children and pets to prevent any accidental use. The peace of mind that comes with knowing you are no longer at risk of a collapse is worth the effort of making the trip to the store or contacting customer service. Your safety is the priority, and the company has structured this remedy to be as accessible and clear as possible to facilitate a quick resolution.

What can happen if you ignore it

It is easy to look at a piece of furniture and see only its aesthetic appeal or the comfort it provides on a lazy afternoon. When you spot a recall notice, however, that comfort should immediately give way to caution. Ignoring this specific warning about the Cost Plus World Market Girona outdoor dining chairs is not merely an inconvenience; it is a direct invitation for physical harm. The core issue lies in the structural integrity of the connection between the seat and the backrest. This recall was issued because the tenon joint—the critical mechanical link holding these two parts together—can separate unexpectedly. When that joint fails, the chair does not just wobble; it collapses. For a consumer continuing to use a compromised chair, the primary consequence is a sudden, unpredictable fall.

The reality of this hazard is grounded in documented incidents. The manufacturer has already received reports where the tenon joint located between the chair's back and seat separated completely. More alarmingly, there have been two specific instances where in-store display chairs collapsed while customers were actively using them. These are not theoretical risks; they are real events that have resulted in minor cuts and bruises for the individuals involved. While these particular injuries may seem minor at first glance, they serve as a stark warning of what can happen if the structural failure occurs during normal use. A fall from a seated position might seem harmless, but it often leads to unexpected impacts with hard surfaces like concrete patios, wooden decks, or stone flooring. The resulting bruises are just the beginning; more severe outcomes could include sprains, fractures, or head injuries depending on how the body hits the ground and where the person lands.

Beyond the immediate physical danger, there is the psychological toll of living with a defective product. Continuing to use these chairs requires you to constantly monitor their stability, turning what should be a relaxing outdoor experience into a source of anxiety. You might find yourself hesitating before sitting down, testing the chair’s weight-bearing capacity, or worrying about whether it will hold together during a gathering with friends and family. This subtle stress erodes the joy of your outdoor space. Furthermore, if you ignore the recall, you are essentially betting against the known failure rate of the tenon joint. Since three reports of separation have already been logged, the likelihood of this defect manifesting in your home increases with every use. By choosing not to return the chair, you are accepting the risk that the next person to sit down could be someone you love, or yourself, suffering an injury that was entirely preventable through a simple refund.

Finally, consider the broader implication of ignoring product safety recalls. These notices exist because manufacturers have identified a pattern of failure that poses a significant risk to public safety. Dismissing this information suggests that your personal convenience outweighs the importance of adhering to established safety standards. In the case of outdoor furniture, which is often exposed to weather elements that can accelerate wear and tear on joints like the tenon connection, the risk of sudden collapse only grows over time. The materials may warp, the wicker straps may loosen, and the joint may weaken further due to environmental exposure. Ignoring the recall means allowing these compounding factors to create a ticking time bomb in your patio or garden area. The consequence is not just a broken chair; it is the potential for serious injury that could have been avoided by taking a few minutes to return the item.

Staying safe: broader tips

While this specific recall addresses a manufacturing defect in the Girona chairs, it highlights a universal truth about outdoor furniture: durability is not just about weather resistance, but also about structural integrity under dynamic loads. When you invest in patio dining sets, especially those made of wood or woven materials like wicker, understanding how these pieces interact with their environment can prevent accidents long after the warranty period expires. The most critical step in proactive home safety is establishing a routine for checking your existing furniture before the season truly begins. Look closely at joints, screws, and connectors. In wooden chairs, check for any signs of splitting or warping that might indicate weakened glue bonds or loose tenons. For woven items, inspect the tension of the straps; if they are sagging or fraying, the structural support is likely compromised.

Another often-overlooked aspect of outdoor safety is the surface on which you place your furniture. Unlike indoor rugs that provide some cushioning and friction, bare concrete, stone pavers, or wooden decking offer little give. If a chair tip occurs on these hard surfaces, the risk of injury increases significantly. To mitigate this, consider using non-slip pads under the legs of your outdoor chairs. These simple accessories can prevent sliding during use and reduce the impact force if a piece does shift unexpectedly. Additionally, ensure that your patio floor is level. Uneven ground places uneven stress on chair legs, which can accelerate wear and tear on joints that are already under tension from daily use.

Maintenance plays a pivotal role in extending the life of outdoor furniture and maintaining its safety profile. Wood needs to be sealed or stained regularly to prevent moisture intrusion, which causes swelling and shrinking that loosens joints over time. Woven wicker should be cleaned gently but thoroughly to prevent debris from accumulating in the weave, which can add unexpected weight and strain. Regularly tighten all hardware according to the manufacturer’s instructions, but avoid over-tightening, which can strip threads or crack frames. Keep a record of your furniture’s age and any repairs you have made; this history helps you anticipate when a piece might be nearing the end of its safe operational life.

Finally, stay informed about product safety beyond just waiting for a recall notice. Register your major purchases with the manufacturers so they can contact you directly if a safety issue is identified later. Subscribe to updates from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and sign up for email alerts on their website. This proactive approach ensures that you are among the first to know about potential hazards, allowing you to act quickly before an incident occurs. By treating your outdoor furniture with the same level of care and attention as you would your home’s structural elements, you create a safer, more enjoyable environment for you and your family.