Federal safety officials have recalled more than 1.7 million attic ladders after warning that the bolts can fail during use, creating a serious fall risk for anyone climbing up or down.
What happened?
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 1,770,000 attic ladders are covered by a recall because the bolts can snap while the ladder is in use. The CPSC also noted that at least 13,000 units of this ladder were also sold in Canada.
If the bolts snap, as the agency explained, it can pose "a risk of serious injury or death from fall hazard." Unfortunately, there have been 11 reports of bolt failures, including one injury, where an individual suffered "an injury to the neck, head, and back."
The affected models are attic stairway ladders with gas struts sold under the Louisville, Featherlite, Lite & Century brands. The recalled ladders were made for attic openings 22.5, 25.5, and 30 inches wide, with lengths of 54 or 60 inches.
Consumers could have bought them from Home Depot, Lowe's, Do It Best, Orgill, Amazon, and other retailers across the country. Sales ran all the way from November 2012 through July 2026, and the ladders were priced between $170 and $600, per the CPSC recall notice.
Why does it matter?
Attic ladders are built into homes and are often used in situations where a sudden failure could send someone falling onto a hard surface.
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A broken bolt in the middle of use is also the kind of hidden hardware issue many consumers would be unlikely to notice before someone gets hurt.
The recall can also be costly for everyday people. Families may have spent hundreds of dollars on a ladder that they expected to last for years, only to learn that a crucial part can fail during normal use.
Even when a repair is offered for free, consumers still have to identify the product, stop using it, and take the time to deal with the fix.
The scale of the recall also raises concerns about quality control. When a product designed for climbing and weight-bearing affects more than 1.7 million units, the burden falls on these homeowners.
For households with children, older adults, or anyone who regularly stores important items in attic spaces, losing safe access can also become a practical day-to-day disruption.
What can I do?
Anyone with one of these recalled attic ladders should stop using it immediately.
The CPSC says owners can register for a free repair kit instead of continuing to use the ladder. You'll need the model number from the inside of the attic door to begin that process.
For more information, use the recall number 26-661.
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