November 26, 2011

Serious Head Injuries to Infants Continue Due to Falls from Bumbo Baby Seats Used on Elevated Surfaces. Injuries occurring despite previous recall warning; parents urged to use caution

Due to the serious risk of injury to babies, CPSC and Bumbo International Trust of South Africa ("Bumbo International") are urging parents and caregivers to never place Bumbo Baby Seats on tables, countertops, chairs or other raised surfaces. Infants aged 3-10 months old have fallen out of the Bumbo seat and suffered skull fractures and other injuries.

CPSC and Bumbo International are aware of at least 45 incidents in which infants fell out of a Bumbo seat while it was being used on an elevated surface which occurred after an October 25, 2007 voluntary recall of the product. The recall required that new warnings be placed on the seat to deter elevated usage of the product. Since the recall, CPSC and Bumbo International have learned that 17 of those infants, ages 3-10 months, suffered skull fractures. These incidents and injuries involved both recalled Bumbo seats and Bumbo seats sold after the recall with the additional on-product warnings.

CPSC and Bumbo International are also aware of an additional 50 reports of infants falling or maneuvering out of Bumbo seats used on the floor and at unknown elevations. These incidents include two reports of skull fractures and one report of a concussion that occurred when babies fell out of Bumbo seats used on the floor. These injuries reportedly occurred when the infants struck their heads on hard flooring, or in one case, on a nearby toy.

The Bumbo seat is labeled and marketed to help infants sit in an upright position as soon as they can support their head. The product warnings state that the seat "may not prevent release of your baby in the event of vigorous movement." Infants as young as 3 months can fall or escape from the seat by arching backward, leaning forward or sideways or rocking.

At the time of the 2007 recall announcement, CPSC was aware of 28 falls from the product, three of which resulted in skull fractures to infants who fell or maneuvered out of the product used on an elevated surface. CPSC and Bumbo International are now aware of at least 46 falls from Bumbo seats used on elevated surfaces that occurred prior to the 2007 recall, resulting in 14 skull fractures, two concussions and one incident of a broken limb.

Approximately 3.85 million Bumbo seats have been sold in the United States since 2003.

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August 17, 2011

Table-Top Clip-on Chair Recalled by phil&teds USA Due to Fall and Amputation Hazards

 
 
Name of Product: "metoo" Clip-on Chair

Units: 54,000 (these were the subject of a product safety alert issued May 6, 2011)

Hazard: Missing or worn clamp pads allow the chairs to detach from a variety of different table surfaces, posing a fall hazard. In addition, when the chair detaches, children's fingers can be caught between the bar and clamping mechanism, posing an amputation hazard. Also, user instructions for the chairs are inadequate, increasing the likelihood of consumer misuse.

Incidents/Injuries: phil&teds and CPSC have received 19 reports of the chairs falling from different table surfaces, including five reports with injuries. Two reports of injuries involved children's fingers being severely pinched, lacerated, crushed or amputated. The three other reports of injury involved bruising after a chair detached suddenly and a child struck the table or floor.

Description: The product is an infant/toddler chair with a nylon fabric seat and a metal frame that clamps onto tables using two metal vise clamps. The upper part of each clamp rests on the table top and has either a rubber pad on its underside or a rubber boot covering the clamp. The chair is sold in three fabric colors - red, black and navy. Chairs subject to this recall do not have black plastic spacers between the cross bar and the clamps.

Sold through: Buy Buy Baby, Target, Toys R Us and their online sites; philandteds.com; Amazon.com; other online retailers; and a variety of independent juvenile specialty stores from May 2006 to May 2011 for between $40 and $50.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the product and contact the company to receive a free repair kit and revised user instructions. Consumers who previously received a repair kit with only rubber boots should also stop using the chair and contact the company for the new repair kit.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact phil&teds USA at (855) 652-9019 or visit the company's website at www.philandteds.com/support

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June 16, 2011

Target Expands Recall of Child Booster Seats Following Additional Reports of Falls

Name of Product: Circo Child Booster Seats

Units: About 375,000 (43,000 additional booster seats were recalled in August 2009)

Hazard: The booster seat’s restraint buckle can open unexpectedly, allowing a child to fall from the chair and be injured.

Incidents/Injuries: Target has received 10 additional reports of booster seat buckles opening unexpectedly, including three reports of bumps and/or bruises when a child fell forward out of the booster seat, hitting an object or the floor.

Description: The expanded recall involves all Circo Booster Seats, including those sold as early as 2005. The plastic booster seats are blue with green trim and a white plastic restraint buckle. They attach to an adult chair to boost a child to a table. “Circo” and “Booster Seat” can be found on a green label located in the front of the booster seat.

Sold exclusively at: Target stores nationwide from January 2005 through June 2009 for about $13.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled booster seats and return them to any Target store for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Target at (800) 440-0680 between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s website at www.target.com

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May 10, 2011

CPSC Alert: Consumers Urged To Stop Using phil&teds USA Clip-on Chairs Due To Serious Dangers Posed To Children

The product is an infant/toddler chair with a nylon fabric seat and a metal frame that clamps onto tables using two metal vise clamps. The upper part of each clamp rests on the table top and has either a rubber clamp pad on its underside or a rubber boot covering it. The chair is sold in three fabric colors – red, black and navy.

The clip-on chairs affected by this warning do not have plastic spacers between the table clamps and the front horizontal metal bar. The clip-on chairs that have plastic spacers between the table clamps and the front horizontal metal bar are under evaluation.

The company has refused to agree to a national recall of their hazardous product that is acceptable to CPSC. The company has offered a repair kit consisting of rubber boots to place on the upper clamp grips of the chairs. Consumers should be aware that CPSC has not approved a repair kit for this product, despite the firm’s prior statement that it was conducting a recall “in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.”

CPSC is urging consumers to stop using the affected metoo chairs at this time in order to prevent the risk of injury to children.

The affected metoo chairs pose serious fall and amputation hazards to children placed in them. Children can suffer impact and head injuries when the chair detaches from the table and falls with them in it. CPSC staff is aware of numerous incidents involving the affected metoo chairs.

CPSC staff has determined that the clamps can detach from a variety of different table surfaces. Additionally, the chairs can detach when children move around or use their feet to push against other objects. Staff also determined that the lack of adequate space between the horizontal metal bar at the front of the chair and the clamps can cause children’s fingers to be severely pinched, lacerated, crushed or amputated if caught between the bar and the clamp when the chair detaches.

In addition to hazards with the affected clip-on chairs, the product packaging and instructions provide conflicting information. The product’s packaging and marketing information show the product being used in ways that may lead to the chair detaching from the table. However, the product’s instructions do not adequately warn against this type of use.

Tens of thousands of the affected metoo chairs may have been distributed since May 2006 for about $50 through philandteds.com, Amazon.com, Buy Buy Baby, Target, Toys R Us, other online retailers and a variety of independent juvenile specialty stores.  

Watch this video to see the dangers of some phil&teds metoo chairs (transcript).

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November 4, 2010

Infant Car Seats Recalled by Britax Due to Laceration and Choking Hazards

 Name of Product: Chaperone Infant car seats

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October 15, 2010

Evenflo is recalling certain maestro child restraint systems

Child restraint brand name / Model or model no.:   Evenflo / 310 (Maestro)      

Manufacturer: Evenflo Company

Component: Child Seat

Potential Number of Units Affected: 13792

Summary:  Evenflo is recalling certain maestro child restraint systems with model numbers beginning with 310 and built from November 24, 2009, through April 9, 2010. These seats fail to conform to the structural integrity requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 213, "child restraint systems."

Consequence:  In the event of a crash, a crack may form at the front of the seat adjacent to the harness adjuster causing the child not to be adequately restrained, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy:  Evenflo will provide owners and care givers a reinforcement plate along with repair instructions free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during October 2010. Owners may contact Evenflo toll-free at 1-800-233-5921.

Notes:  Owners may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov .

The recall was issued after Consumer Reports’ tests showed that the seat can crack and the harness can loosen in simulated 30-mph frontal crashes, which could leave a child inadequately restrained.  Failures occurred when the seat was tested in its five-point harness mode, though no problems were found when the seat was used as a booster-seat. Consumer Reports shared its test results with Evenflo, who worked with NHTSA to initiate the recall.  For more information or to see a video of our crash test results on the Evenflo Maestro go to the Consumer Reports Babies and Kids Blog.      

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December 18, 2009

Fall Hazard Prompts NHTSA, CPSC and Dorel Juvenile Group to Announce Recall of Infant Car Seat/Carriers

 
Name of product: Dorel Infant Car Seat/Carriers

Units: About 447,000

Hazard: When used as an infant carrier, the child restraint handle to the seat can loosen and come off, posing a fall hazard to infants.

Incidents/Injuries: Dorel has received 77 reports of the child restraint handle fully or partially coming off the car seat/carrier resulting in at least three injuries to infants including bumps, bruises and a head injury.

Description: This recall involves Safety 1st, Cosco, Eddie Bauer and Disney branded infant car seat/carriers with the following model numbers and that were manufactured from January 6, 2008 through April 6, 2009. The model number and manufacture date are located on a label on the side of the car seat/carrier. They were sold with Travel Systems. The stroller portion of the travel system is not affected by this recall.

Sold at: Department and juvenile product stores nationwide from January 2008 through December 2009 for between $120 and $220.

Remedy: Consumers should not use the handle of the car seat/carrier until the repair kit has been installed. The product can continue to be used as a car seat when properly installed in the vehicle. Contact Dorel Juvenile Group to receive a free repair kit.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Dorel Juvenile Group at (866) 762-3316 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm's Web site at www.djgusa.com/safety_notice

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December 8, 2009

Infant Suffocation Deaths Prompt Recall of Amby Baby Motion Beds/Hammocks

 
Name of Product: Amby Baby Motion Beds

Units: About 24,000

Hazard: The side-to-side shifting or tilting of the hammock can cause the infant to roll and become entrapped or wedged against the hammock’s fabric and/or mattress pad, resulting in a suffocation hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: Amby Baby is aware of two infant suffocation deaths in the Amby Baby hammock. In June 2009, a 4-month-old girl in Lawrenceville, Ga died in a baby hammock and in August 2009, a 5-month-old boy from Gresham, Ore.

Description: The Amby Baby Motion Bed consists of a steel frame and a fabric hammock which are connected by a large spring and metal crossbar. There is only one model of the hammock available which can be identified by a label sewn onto the hammock stating: “Amby – Babies Love It, Naturally.”

Sold online at: Ambybaby.com and other Internet retailers from January 2003 through October 2009 for about $250.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the Amby Baby motion beds/hammocks and contact Amby Baby USA for a free repair kit. Parents and caregivers are urged to find an alternative, safe sleeping environment for their baby.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Amby Baby USA toll-free at (866) 544-9721 between 9 a.m. and 5p.m. ET Monday through Friday.

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November 18, 2009

Baby Hammocks Recalled by Three Sisters Toys Due to Fall and Strangulation Hazards

 
Name of Product: Yayita Baby Hammocks

Units: About 20 (related recalls have been issued: 08-604 August 2008, 09-760 August 2009, and 09-761 August 2009)

Distributor: Three Sisters Toys Inc., Neptune Beach, Fla.

Hazard: The hammock can flip over, posing a serious fall hazard and strangulation hazard to infants who become entrapped in the seat’s restraint straps while upside down.

Description: The recalled baby hammock is a cream-colored canvas and hangs from a wooden pole. The hammock measures about 29 x 43 inches. It has three restraint straps with red buckles and is attached to a cushioned pad for the infant. A mounting fixture, also called a fixing set, is sold with the hammock. “La Siesta” is printed on a tag located below the restraint straps. Model number YABN-1 is printed on a white tag sewn into the hammock’s side seam.

Sold by: Three Sisters Toys online at www.threesisterstoys.com from December 2007 through July 2008 for about $100.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the baby hammock and return it to Three Sisters Toys to receive a full refund. The firm has contacted all known purchasers of this product.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Three Sisters Toys toll-free at (888) 537-9293 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday. 

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October 7, 2009

CPSC Warns of In-Home Drowning Dangers with Bathtubs, Bath Seats, Buckets

For 2003-2005, CPSC staff received reports of an average of 90 children younger than 5 years of age who drowned in bathtubs (62%), baby seats or bathinettes (15%), buckets and pails (11%), landscaping or yard products (6%), and other products (4%). There was an annual average of an additional 39 reports of non-fatal submersion incidents for 2005-2007 that were reported for the same products. The majority of drownings and non-fatal submersion incidents involved children younger than 2 years old.

“What parents need to know is that anywhere there is water, there is a potential drowning hazard to children,” said Inez Tenenbaum, CPSC Chairman. “Parents shouldn’t let their guard down; young children need constant supervision around bathtubs, bath seats and buckets.”

Many of the reported incidents involved a lapse in supervision by caregivers, such as leaving the bathroom momentarily while the child was in the bathtub to answer the phone/door or to retrieve an item like a towel. In other incidents, an older sibling was left to watch a younger sibling.

CPSC recommends parents and caregivers follow these safety tips when children are around bathtubs, bath seats, buckets, spas, or decorative ponds or fountains:

• Never leave young children alone, even for a moment, near any water. Young children can drown quickly in even small amounts of water.

   

   

• Always keep a young child within arm's reach in a bathtub. If you must leave, take the child with you.

   

   

• Don't leave a baby or toddler in a bathtub under the care of another young child.

   

   

• Never leave a bucket containing even a small amount of liquid unattended. Toddlers can fall headfirst into buckets and drown. After using a bucket, always empty and store it where young children cannot reach it. Don’t leave buckets outside where they can collect rainwater.

   

   

• Learn CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). It can be a lifesaver when seconds count.

   

The figures cited above and other data on non-pool and non-spa submersion incidents can be found in CPSC’s 2008 Submersions Related to Non Pool and Non Spa Products (PDF), which includes the latest available data: fatalities for 2003-2005 and non-fatal incidents for 2005-2007. Fatality and injury data differ due to a lag in reporting fatalities. Pool and spa related injuries and fatalities are presented in other submersion reports. For more information, see: www.cpsc.gov/library/data.html

Consumers can also view a video clip (transcript) about this issue. This is in "streaming video" format. Watch the video on CPSC’s Blog site

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