Nov 9, 2009 5:03 pm US/Central
Company To Recall 1 Million Strollers
Fears Of Children Getting Fingers Amputated Sparks Maclaren To Recall Strollers Dating Back to 1999
CHICAGO (CBS News) ―
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Maclaren is recalling one million strollers.
Maclaren
A major stroller manufacturer today announced a massive recall over concerns that children can have their fingertips sliced in a hinge.
Maclaren will recall all strollers dating back to 1999 -- one million in total.
According to Maclaren: "We felt it was in the interest of customer safety to quickly develop a solution to this potential problem." The company adds in its press release that, "the solution was developed with cooperation from the Consumer Product Safety Commission."
Twelve children who allegedly had their fingertips chopped off after getting caught in the hinge reportedly sparked the recall.
The Maclaren umbrella stroller is popular among Chicago's stroller-set, CBS 2's Dana Kozlov reports.
"That really scares me," says Chicago nanny Meaghan Paul, who uses a Maclaren stroller at least once a week.
Retailers, like sales associate Robert Clark at Galt Toys, say they were notified by letter of the danger last weekend. They also have a poster warning customers, too.
On its website recall notice, the company is urging all stroller owners to contact them for a kit that would correct the hinge hazard.
Until customers can get one, Clark says the company is asking owners to at least be careful when using the strollers. But the best course of action would be not to use it until it can be fixed.
Some parents say fixing it may not be worth it. Sarah Gardner, who was pushing her two young daughters in one of the recalled strollers at the zoo, says she thinks 10 years is a little too long for the company to have notified people of the danger.
Maclaren strollers range from around $100 to $400.
Owners can contact the company or the store where they purchased the stroller for a hinge cover.
"Stop using it immediately," CBS News medical correspondent Dr. Jennifer Ashton advises parents who own a Maclaren stroller. Ashton, however, said that the company plans to send parents a free protective kit to place over the hinge.
Additionally, Maclaren states: "Until the kit arrives and you have fitted it, you should use extra care when folding and unfolding the strollers and be sure children's hands are well clear of all mechanisms."
The affected models include Volo, Triumph, Quest Sport, Quest Mod, Techno XT, Techno XLR, Twin Triumph, Twin Techno and Easy Traveller.
Link to Consumer Product Safety Commission announcement.
Contact Maclaren
CBS 2's Dana Kozlov contributed to this report.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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