Maclaren USA in Norwalk is reaching out to consumers and retailers in a massive mea-culpa recall in which stroller hinges could be dangerous.
The recall specifically affects the company”™s umbrella stroller models. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimated 1 million strollers made by Maclaren, a British company, were recalled. According to the CPSC the strollers have caused 12 fingertip amputations.
The CPSC said the action is the second-largest recall of strollers since 2000. In 2005 Graco Children”™s Products recalled nearly 1.15 million strollers.
The recall affected all nine models of Maclaren”™s double and single umbrella strollers, including Volo, Triumph, Quest Sport, Quest Mod, Techno XT, Techno XLR, Twin Triumph, Twin Techno, and Easy Traveller purchased between 1999 and November 2009. The strollers typically sell for $100 to $360.
“We know child behavior; we know kids like to explore and sometimes put their fingers in places where they shouldn’t be,” said Scott Wilson, spokesperson for the CPSC. “But finger amputations that result from using a product that parents expect to be safe is unacceptable.”
The CPSC has endorsed a Maclaren hinge cover to rectify the issue.
Maclaren reacted quickly to the problem, developing a solution and seeking the recall. Since its recall last month Maclaren has provided all retailers that sell Maclaren products with hinge cover kits, sent parents or caregivers with a Maclaren product hinge cover kits, and installed the hinge covers on all new products.
Maclaren responds to requests for hinge covers through customer service lines of its website maclaren.us.com
