Graco Recalls 2 Million Strollers After Four Infants Are Strangled

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Posted on 21st October 2010 by gjohnson in Uncategorized

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Graco Children’s Products has voluntarily recalled 2 million strollers after four infant strangulations involving their Quattro and MetroLite stollers were reported.  

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml11/11015.html

 The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced the stroller recall Wednesday, “due to the risk of entrapment and strangulation,” saying, “CPSC and Graco have received four reports of infant strangulations that occurred in these strollers between 2003 and 2005. In addition, CPSC is aware of five reports of infants becoming entrapped, resulting in cuts and bruises, and one report of an infant having difficulty breathing.”

The CPSC warned, “Entrapment and strangulation can occur, especially to infants younger than 12 months of age, when a child is not harnessed. An infant can pass through the opening between the stroller tray and seat bottom, but his/her head and neck can become entrapped by the tray. Infants who become entrapped at the neck are at risk of srangulation.

The recall involves older versions of the Graco Quattro Tour and MetroLite strollers and travel systems manufactured prior to the existence of the January 2008 voluntary industry standard that addresses the height of the opening between the stroller’s tray and the seat bottom.

This voluntary standard requires larger stroller openings that prevent infant entrapment and strangulation hazards.

This recall involves Graco Quattro Tour strollers and travel systems manufactured prior to November 2006 and MetroLite strollers and travel systems manufactured prior to July 2007. The strollers and travel systems were distributed between November 2000 and December 2007.

The model numbers are printed on a label at the lower portion of the rear frame, just above the rear wheels or underneath the stroller. The name “Graco” appears on a label on the stroller tray and the headrest. 

The strollers were sold at AAFES, Babies R Us, Burlington Coat Factory, Fred Meyer, Meijers, Navy Exchange, Sears, Target, Walmart and other stores nationwide between November 2000 and December 2007 for between $90 and $190 for the strollers, and between $190 and $250 for travel systems.

The strollers were manufactured in China.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled strollers and contact Graco for a free repair kit. To order a repair kit, contact Graco toll-free at (877) 828-4046 anytime, or visit the companys website at www.gracobaby.com.

Consumers can continue use of the stroller as a “travel system.” When the stroller is used with the infant car seat, the entrapment and strangulation hazards posed by the space gap are not present. 

 http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-10-20/graco-recalls-2-million-strollers-after-four-babies-die-from-strangulation.html