Kohl's Recall: 31,000 Anti-Gravity Chairs Pulled Due To Fall Hazard

Kohl's is recalling about 31,000 anti-gravity chairs that may pose a fall hazard to users. Customers who have the product can get a refund or store credit.

The recall affects "SONOMA Goods For Life Branded Ultimate Oversized Antigravity Chairs" that can "break or collapse when weight is applied," the recall alert posted on the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website noted. So far, the company has received 18 reports of the chair breaking or collapsing, including two that resulted in minor injuries.

Anti-gravity chairs, also known as zero-gravity chairs, are called so due to the "neutral body position" someone is in when they sit in the chair, with their weight and pressure distributed across the body.

The idea is that at this position, the body can be alleviated of the effects of gravity and can garner some health benefits such as having better circulation and less pressure on the spine.

The affected products were sold at Kohl's stores nationwide and on its online store from January 2019 to June 2021. Those who have the items are being advised to stop using them immediately and instead return them to the nearest Kohl's store. People who still have a receipt can get a full refund while those who don't will be given store credit.

The anti-gravity chairs affected by the recall have an aluminum frame and came in various colors. They have a removable pillow and a sewn-in tag on the fabric part of the seat. Images of the product are available on the CPSC website.

Safe Sitting

Although sitting sounds like a fairly safe position to be in, it can actually cause some strain if one does not do it properly.

To protect their backs while sitting down, people can make sure the chair is actually behind them, hold the armrests or the sides of the seat to get support and use their leg muscles to lower themselves onto the seat. They may also use support for the lower back to make sitting more comfortable.

Moreover, when sitting for prolonged periods of time, it's best to change positions "from time to time" or perhaps move around, as staying in the same position may cause pain and discomfort in the tendons, muscles and other soft tissues.