Earlier this year, we made two Cuggl stair gatesDon’t Buys because they failed key tests that are part of the EU safety standard for stair and safety barriers.
Argos removed these models from sale at the time. It told us yesterday that it had carried out intensive independent testing of its entire range.
Following this, Argos is now expanding its recall to include seven models in total.
Read on to find out which stair gates are affected, the safety flaws we found in our tests, and what to do if you’ve bought a dangerous stair gate.
Which Argos stair gates have been recalled?
Argos says there is a risk of the following problems occurring:
- brackets or wooden slats breaking under high impact – regular banging or kicking of the gate, for example
- the auto-close feature failing
- the gaps between metal bars being wider than the required standard, which could lead to a child getting trapped
Here’s the full list of affected products:
Cuggl Autoclose Metal Gate:Cat no. 7076879
Cuggl Metal & Wood Gate: Cat no.7025112
Cuggl Wooden Extending Gate: Cat no.7065426
Cuggl 7cm Pressure Fit Extension Kit: Cat no.7063868
Cuggl Pressure Fit Safety Gate: Cat no.7036613
Cuggl Extra Wide Hallway Gate: Cat no. 7060225
Cuggl Extra Wide Adjustable Gate: Cat no.6879613
If you’re not sure whether your stair gate is a Cuggl one, you can check the top panel for the Cuggl brand label (see below).
The model numbers of the affected products aren’t on the product itself, so you’ll need to compare your stair gate with the images above to know whether it’s affected.
What to do if your Argos Cuggl stair gate is recalled
If your stair gate is among those recalled, you should stop using it immediately and return it to an Argos store for a full refund. You won’t need a receipt.
You can also phone Argos on 0800 0113462 (UK freephone) or 1800946744 (freephone) for more information. If you ordered online or supplied an email address when you purchased the gate, you should receive an email alerting you of the recall.
An Argos spokesperson said: ‘Product safety is our number one concern, so, following extensive independent testing of our stair gates, we have decided to recall seven products because of potential safety issues’.
Our guide to product recalls gives more advice on your rights if an item you’ve bought is subject to a safety recall.
Which? stair gate testing
In May, we called for eight gates from several brands, including Cuggl, to be removed from sale after they failed two important safety tests: the fatigue test and impact resistance test.
Essentially, these stair gates couldn’t withstand being shaken or pushed. So they could be forced open by a child shaking and rattling the gate over time (fatigue test) or shoving the gate in a tantrum (impact resistance test).
We test stair gates at an accredited laboratory, following the EU standard testing for safety gates (BS EN 1930:2011).
Discover the stair gates that failed our safety tests in May.
Sadly, stair gates are just one of many baby and child products that could be putting your child at risk. Find out more about unsafe slime toys, pushchair safety andbaby and child car seat safety.
And learn more about the action we’ve been taking over the past 60 years to remove unsafe products from sale.
