U.S. stroller recall sparks local worries
November 10, 2009
Lesley Ciarula Taylor
STAFF REPORTER
The Canadian distributor of Maclaren umbrella strollers offered Tuesday to help parents worried about their children, after finger amputations in the U.S. led to a recall of 1 million of the strollers.
Kushies Baby advised parents to call them at 1-800-841-5330 where a customer service representative walks them through the details behind the recall and how to get in touch with Maclaren's.
Debbie Ranger, owner of long-established Macklem's baby furniture and stroller store in west Toronto, fielded calls from up to 30 parents by noon Tuesday and was advising them to contact Kushies.
No injuries of children have been reported in Canada from Maclaren strollers, Health Canada said Tuesday, so the recall is not being extended here.
"(We are) currently in discussion with Maclaren Hong Kong, the exclusive manufacturer of the Canadian products, to ascertain whether the models sold in the U.S are the same as the ones sold in Canada," Health Canada spokeswoman Christelle Legault said.
"If so, Health Canada will work with the company to initiate appropriate corrective measures. "
A spokesman at Maclaren in Britain said Tuesday the strollers sold there were the same as the ones sold in the U.S.
Maclaren USA Inc. was offering parents, including Canadian parents, "retrofit packages" with sleeves to cover the hinges on the strollers. Their number is 1-877-688-2326 or 1-877-442-4622.
The recall followed 12 cases of children whose fingertips were amputed after being stuck in the hinges of Maclaren folding umbrella strollers. Every stroller sold in the United States since 1999 is being recalled. Maclaren announced a voluntary recall with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Monday.
Kushies said the recall is because of "improper use" of the strollers, which meet Canadian safety standards and advised parents to be aware of the risk of injury to children when opening and closing the strollers.
The CPSC said consumers should immediately stop using the strollers, which were made in China, unless otherwise instructed.
The incidents occurred while the strollers were being opened or closed, not while the children were seated in the strollers, a spokeswoman said.
"I'm kind of shocked. I've never heard of this before. Any parent knows you have to make sure your child is not nearby when you're closing the stroller and when you open it, you have to hear the click or it's not opened completely," said Ranger.
Models affected by the recall include Volo, Triumph, Quest Sport, Quest Mod, Techno XT, TechnoXLR, Twin Triumph, Twin Techno and Easy Traveller.
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