Graco Children’s Products, Inc. and the US Consumer Product Safety
Commission are announcing the voluntary recall of about 2 million MetroLite™
Graco Quattro Tour™ strollers and travel systems. The recall comes
following reports of four infant strangulation fatalities involving the
strollers. The babies died between 2003 and 2005. The CPSC says it also
knows of five reports involving infants who became entrapped, causing
breathing difficulties, bruises, and cuts.
With these Graco strollers, risk of strangulation or entrapment can occur—especially
if the infant is under age 1—when the baby isn’t harnessed.
If the infant were to pass between the seat bottom and the stroller tray,
his/her neck and head can get entrapped by the tray.
The strollers included in the recall were made before a January 2008 voluntary
industry standard that requires larger stroller openings so that infants
are not at risk of strangulation or entrapment.
Stroller Defects:
According to Consumer Watch, about 14,000 children are treated in hospital
emergency rooms every year because of injuries they sustained in stroller-related
accidents. 90% of these children will have sustained head injuries. 2
fatalities involving strollers occur each year.
Examples of other stroller defects:
- Hinge defects, which can result in fingertip amputations, lacerations, and pinches
- Faulty construction that can cause a stroller to collapse
- Small parts that are choking hazards
- Unstable frames that increases the chances a stroller will fall or tip over
- Unsafe safety harnesses that can result in entanglement or strangulation
- Sharp or exposed edges that can cause amputation or laceration
It was just earlier this year that Graco recalled 1.5 million strollers
because they posed a fingertip amputation and laceration hazard.
Four infant deaths prompt Graco recall of 2 million strollers, Chicago Tribune, October 20, 2010
Graco Recalls Quattro™ and MetroLite™ Strollers Due to Risk
of Entrapment and Strangulation, Four Infant Strangulation Deaths Reported, CPSC, October 20, 2010
Recall of 1.5 Million Graco Strollers Following Fingertip Lacerations and
Amputations, Productliabilitylawblog.com, January 20, 2010
Strollers, Consumer Watch
Related Web Resources:
Graco Baby
Product Hazards, Kids in Danger
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