Graco Recall: Strollers Pose Amputation Risk
Graco has announced the recall of five million strollers. The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission confirmed at least 11 children were injured on the strollers’ hinges. As a result, at least six children lost a finger.
The recall includes Aspen, Breeze, Capri, Cirrus, Glider, Kite, LiteRider, Sierra, Solara, Sterling, TravelMate, and Travel Systems. The recalled strollers, which were manufactured between August 2000 and September 2014, were sold in Canada, Mexico, the United States, and online, through November 2014.
A majority of Graco’s recalled strollers were sold by Target, Toys R Us, and Walmart. They were also available through Amazon.com and other online outlets. A complete list of recalled models is provided by the CPSC. Graco has also provided detailed information about the strollers and the recall.
Graco reports that the injuries were caused by external sliding fold-lock hinges, which are present on each side of the stroller. The injuries include “11 reports of finger injuries including six reports of fingertip amputation, four reports of partial-fingertip amputation and one finger laceration.”
To prevent injury, caregivers are reminded to “be certain that the hinges are firmly locked before placing a child in the stroller” and “immediately remove the child from a stroller that begins to fold.” Graco is offering free repair kits to fix the recalled strollers. The repair kits will be available through Graco Children’s Products, of Atlanta, Georgia, beginning December 1.
In 2010, Graco recalled more than one million strollers for similar reason. As reported by Daily Finance, the 2010 recall also involved an amputation risk. However, the children were injured by a hinge on the stroller’s canopy as opposed to the side hinges. Graco estimates at least five children lost their fingers before the recall was announced.
In 2009, one million strollers were recalled by Maclaren. The recall was prompted by dozens of injuries, which include 12 severed fingers.
Strollers are designed to be safe for babies and small children. However, Maclaren reminds consumers that they are “mechanical products, not unlike bicycles or automobiles, and have scissor or pinch points that cannot be eliminated.”
Caregivers can prevent injury by following operating instructions, which are provided by the manufacturer. It is also important to keep children’s hands away from moving parts while opening and closing strollers.
Although the hinges cannot be eliminated, repair kits provided by Graco and Maclaren include covers, which make it more difficult for children to reach the hinges.
Consumers with questions about Graco’s stroller recall are encouraged to contact customer support.
[Image via Shutterstock]
