Recently, a massive recall of over 3 million garden hoses has been announced by consumer safety officials. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, these HydroTech expandable hoses pose serious risks to millions of homeowners across America.
The affected products have reportedly caused dozens of injuries, prompting warnings from federal authorities.
Injury Reports
222 hoses have burst during normal use, with 29 documented injuries, reported by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. According to federal investigators, the injuries include anything from bone bruises, sprains, and five cases of temporary hearing loss from the explosive sound.
The bursting incidents occurred without warning, leaving users vulnerable to sudden impact injuries and acoustic trauma.
Market Context
Garden hoses are an important item for millions of American homeowners across the United States. The consumer market was valued at $851.2 million in 2023.
According to Grand View Research, Americans purchase millions of expandable hoses annually for watering lawns, washing cars, and outdoor cleaning. The home gardening boom has created unprecedented demand for convenient, lightweight alternatives to traditional rubber hoses throughout residential neighborhoods nationwide.
Industry Pressures
Manufacturing defects in expandable hoses occur due to complex design challenges involving strain relief components.
According to manufacturing experts, the plastic connector pieces must withstand extreme pressure changes while maintaining flexibility. However, when these hoses fail, the inner liner expands catastrophically, creating dangerous projectile hazards that can unexpectedly injure nearby users.
Recall Details
On July 24, 2025, Winston Products of Glenwillow, Ohio, announced a voluntary recall of HydroTech 5/8-inch Expandable Burst-Proof Hoses manufactured before August 31, 2024.
According to the CPSC notice, “The recalled hoses can burst, posing an impact hazard and a risk of temporarily impaired hearing.” The recall affects products sold nationwide since January 2021.
Regional Impact
The hoses were sold at retailers and online outlets across America. Major retailers are accepting returns from affected customers. According to the recall notice, Walmart, Home Depot, Target, and Ace Hardware locations nationwide provide full refunds for the dangerous hoses.
Amazon also sold thousands of units online, extending the recall’s reach to customers in all 50 states who purchased through e-commerce platforms.
Failure Reports
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, “The injuries included one bone bruise, two sprains, and five reports of temporarily impaired hearing from the sound of the hose bursting.”
The failures were sudden and caught users completely off-guard, who were only doing routine yard work. Medical experts say the acoustic trauma from bursting hoses can cause temporary but significant hearing impairment requiring treatment.
Industry Response
Garden hose manufacturers are examining expandable product safety following this recall. According to industry analysis, product recalls increased 20.5% from 2022 to 2023, with manufacturing defects being a leading cause.
The recall has sparked broader questions about expandable hose safety standards and quality control across the entire industry segment.
Market Analysis
The flexible garden hose market faces scrutiny as safety concerns mount. According to Valicor research, 2025 has seen a noticeable increase in consumer product recalls across all categories.
However, this recall demonstrates how manufacturing shortcuts can compromise consumer safety in products used by millions of American households daily.
Hidden Costs
Beyond immediate injuries, the recall opens the door to examine deeper problems with expandable hose manufacturing quality. According to materials engineering experts, strain relief failures indicate fundamental design flaws that affect entire product lines.
The defective components suggest widespread manufacturing inconsistencies that could impact thousands of additional units still in consumers’ homes nationwide.
Company Background
Winston Products, founded in 2004, has grown from a small Cleveland startup to a significant consumer goods manufacturer. According to company records, Winston Products was established with “a handful of talented people and a mission to bring truly innovative product solutions.”
The company now employs over 100 people and specializes in outdoor equipment and consumer products.
Corporate Challenges
Winston Products faces mounting pressure as recall costs escalate. According to Berkley Specialty London insurance analysis, major product recalls can cost companies between $10 million and $49 million.
The Ohio-based manufacturer must now rebuild consumer confidence while managing potential lawsuits from injured customers and implementing new quality control measures across operations.
Recovery Efforts
The company is offering full refunds and working with retailers to process returns efficiently. According to the recall notice, customers can return hoses to participating stores or contact Winston Products directly through their online portal.
The manufacturer has established a dedicated customer service line and recall website to manage the massive return process effectively.
Expert Concerns
Safety experts question whether expandable hose designs can ever be completely reliable. According to hose manufacturing guidelines, strain relief components create inherent weak points in expandable designs.
Industry specialists worry that similar failures could occur with other expandable hose brands, suggesting consumers might be safer returning to traditional rubber hoses for reliability.
Future Questions
Will this massive recall change how Americans buy garden hoses forever? According to consumer safety advocates, the HydroTech incident highlights the need for stricter testing standards before expandable products reach store shelves.
As millions of recalled hoses return to retailers, homeowners must decide whether convenience is worth the potential safety risks.