Recaro Child Seat Recall Sheds Light on Importance of Car Safety
Are you aware of the most recent child car seat recall?
On August 19, leading child and toddler car seat manufacturer Recaro issued a recall for more than 39,000 of its ProSport Model 385 child seats due to safety concerns. The recall covers all the firm’s car seats produced between June 16, 2010, and January 31, 2013.
The situation arose when the company discovered a problem with the LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) system, in which parents use only the lower anchors and not the top tether. Without this additional restraint, it appears children in these car seats may experience excessive head movement, which potentially causes them to suffer traumatic injuries.
Registered Recaro ProSport Model 385 owners will receive a new label that provides updated instructions. These will include discontinuation of the LATCH system once a child’s weight reaches or exceeds 40 pounds.
Owners who are not registered with the company may contact Recaro at 888-973-2276 to learn how to obtain a new label.
Information regarding how many children were injured as a result of the faulty instructions is not currently available. But considering the length of time that has passed since the original manufacture and release of the car seats, many parents are probably wondering how the problem continued for so long without a word to consumers.
Child car seat safety in the US
Among the top causes of child mortality in this country, injuries from car crashes are one of the most prevalent … and preventable. In 2011 alone, 650 children died, and 148,000 sustained injuries as a result of motor vehicle collisions.
One of the major factors that contributed to multiple deaths is the failure to use a child seat, booster seat, or seat belt. To protect children from injury or death in case of a crash, utilizing age- and weight-appropriate restraint methods during every trip is crucial.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), infants and toddlers are 71 percent and 54 percent less likely to die in an accident, respectively, when safety seats are properly employed. In addition, booster seats give children between the ages of 4 and 8, a 45 percent better chance of survival than if they simply use a seat belt.
It’s the duty of every parent to understand and implement the correct passenger safety procedures for their children, as well as every car seat manufacturer to produce products that do their jobs consistently and effectively with every use.
How to keep kids safe
To secure young children against potential impact when riding in a vehicle, take the following preventive steps:
- Choose quality car seats. Check consumer reports and review websites — and consult with other parents — to identify which brands or models of car seat will best protect your child. They may cost more, but few parents would readily place a price tag on their child’s life.
- Follow instructions exactly.Keep the instruction manual and make sure you follow every step when you place your child in a car seat. Call the manufacturer if you have any questions regarding appropriate use.
- Check for recalls.Registering your product is a smart way to remain apprised of news regarding the company or model. Continue to check the news and sign up for alerts to ensure you receive information as soon as it surfaces.
- Report problems immediately.Should the car seat not function as indicated, it may be damaged or have a manufacturing defect. Discontinue your use of it immediately and contact the manufacturer. Doing so could save multiple children’s lives.
Children are the most important asset parents have, and using the right car restraints is crucial to protecting their life and well-being. The Recaro recall likely presents a wake-up call to parents to become more vigilant about the child safety products they choose and how they use them.
Are you using the right car seat and procedures to protect your child on every car ride?
