Montana Warning: Exploding Walmart Water Bottles Cause Blindness

If you’ve picked up one of those big stainless steel water bottles from Walmart to take camping, hiking, or just to survive a scorcher of a summer day, it’s time to take a closer look. There’s a serious recall you need to know about, and yes, it affects products sold here in Montana.

The Danger Is in the Lid

The water bottles in question are the Ozark Trail 64 oz Stainless Steel Insulated Bottles. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the issue is with the lid, which can forcefully eject when opened especially if the bottle has been storing milk, juice, or anything carbonated for a while. The pressure builds up inside, and the lid basically launches itself like a mini missile when you go to take a sip.

Real People Have Been Seriously Hurt

This isn’t just a case of an annoying leak or a faulty cap. Walmart has received three injury reports, and two people have lost their vision permanently after being hit in the face by a flying lid. It's not often we see a water bottle recall tied to that level of injury.

How to Tell If Yours Is Affected

Here’s what to look for: the bottle is silver stainless steel, with a black screwcap lid, and has an Ozark Trail logo on the side. The model number is 83-662, but it’s only listed on the packaging not on the bottle itself. If you still have the box it came in, great. If not, try comparing your bottle to online images to be safe.

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What to Do If You Have One

If you have one of these bottles, stop using it immediately. You can return it to any Walmart location in Montana for a full refund, no receipt necessary. Walmart has made it easy to get your money back either in-store or online. If you’ve got questions or need help, you can call them directly at 800-925-6278, any day between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. Central Time.