Walmart recalls 850,000 water bottles after two consumers suffer vision loss from ejecting caps - NBC News

Walmart Recalls Stainless Steel Water Bottles Due to Risk of Permanent Vision Loss

In a recent announcement, Walmart has issued a massive recall of approximately 850,000 stainless steel water bottles due to a critical safety concern. The product in question is the S'well Stainless Steel Bottle, which has been found to have a defect that can cause its lid to forcefully eject and unexpectedly strike consumers.

The Recall

Walmart announced the recall on [date] after receiving reports of customers experiencing permanent vision loss as a result of being struck by the bottle's lid. According to the company, two people have already suffered from permanent vision loss due to this issue.

The affected bottles were sold at Walmart stores across the United States and online through the company's website. The recall applies to all 850,000 stainless steel water bottles with the following model numbers:

• 28 oz S'well Stainless Steel Bottle
• 32 oz S'well Stainless Steel Bottle
• 40 oz S'well Stainless Steel Bottle

The Defect

According to Walmart, the defect in the lid of these bottles is caused by a faulty latch mechanism. When the lid is closed, it can become misaligned and cause the latch to break, leading to an unexpected ejection of the lid.

When this happens, the lid can travel at high speeds and strike consumers, potentially causing serious injury or even permanent vision loss. Walmart has confirmed that two people have already suffered from permanent vision loss as a result of being struck by the bottle's lid.

What to Do If You Own an Affected Bottle

If you own one of the affected stainless steel water bottles, Walmart recommends that you immediately stop using it and contact the company for a full refund. The company will provide a prepaid return shipping label so that you can send the defective product back to them at no cost.

Walmart is also offering free replacement bottles to customers who have purchased the affected products. To obtain a replacement bottle, simply visit Walmart's website or contact their customer service department.

Precautions

In light of this recall, Walmart has issued several precautions to its customers:

• Do not use the S'well Stainless Steel Bottle until it is replaced.
• If you have already experienced permanent vision loss due to being struck by the bottle's lid, please contact a medical professional and provide your receipt for the affected product.
• If you are experiencing any symptoms of eye injury, such as blurred vision, double vision, or sensitivity to light, seek medical attention immediately.

What Walmart is Doing to Address the Issue

Walmart has taken immediate action to address this issue by:

• Issuing a nationwide recall of all affected products
• Conducting an investigation into the cause of the defect and implementing safety measures to prevent it from happening again in the future.
• Providing a full refund and replacement bottles to customers who have purchased the affected products.

Conclusion

The recent recall of Walmart's stainless steel water bottles is a stark reminder of the importance of product safety. The company's proactive response to this issue demonstrates their commitment to protecting its customers' health and well-being.

We urge all customers to take advantage of the recall program and receive a replacement bottle or a full refund, whichever is applicable. We also recommend that anyone who has already experienced eye injury due to being struck by the bottle's lid seek medical attention immediately and provide their receipt for the affected product.