Baby Seat Recall Information
An incredibly
high number of baby seat recalls have occured during
the past ten years. Since March of 1998, four major manufacturers
of child safety seats have announced five recalls that involved
nearly 10 million car seats that were determined to be unsafe
by federal regulators. Many of the injuries were serious,
including skull fractures, concussions, a broken leg and numerous
scratches and bruises. A quick look at the website of the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reveals
an incredible number of recalls and/or safety concerns for
many baby seats/carriers.
Even when
child safety seats are recalled, it is often extremely difficult
to get the unsafe child seats off the streets. In 1993, the
recall completion rate stood at a paltry 24%. Although this
number has increased to 50% by the year 2000, roughly half
of all recalls do not result in getting all the unsafe child
seats off the streets. Representatives of the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration have accused baby seat manufacturers
of producing products that meet the minimum safety standards
set forth by NHTSA.
Child
safety seat problems often involve defective handles (unexpected
releases, weak construction, unexpected rotation, etc.) Nearly
500 injuries to infants have occurred since 1998 on recalled
car seat/carrier models--to both restrained and unrestrained
children. When recalls are issued, they often consist of warning
notices to parents and childcare providers to not lift and
carry the seat by the defective handle until the problem has
been fixed. Many of the recent recalls did not involve the
actual performance of the car seat and, as such, the recall
notice stated that these recalled seats could still be used
as car seats.
All of
the recent recalls illustrate how important it is to educate
parents and childcare providers on the issues of child safety
seat/carrier recalls.
5
Major Baby Seat Recalls Since 1998
In each
of the five major recall cases, the individual manufacturer
offered a free repair kit to fix the problem. Unfortunately,
individuals who were unaware of these recalls inadvertently
placed their children at risk for serious injury or worse.
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Evenflo
Company, Inc.
In May
of 2001, Evenflo announced the recall of nearly three and
a half million of their Joyride Car Seat/Carriers that double
as portable carriers. The recall involves all Evenflo Joyride
car seats, which are white or gray plastic with seat pads
of various colors or patterns. The recall is due to defective
handles that can unexpectedly release or snap off, which results
in the seat flipping forward. The infant in the seat can be
thrown to the ground. So far, some 250 cases of handle problems
have been reported. 97 cases of infant injuries have occurred.
The recalled model numbers begin with 203, 205, 210, 435,
and 493. The model number is located on a label on the bottom
or on the side of the car seat/carrier.
Evenflo
is being investigated for possibly not reported the accidents
to the government (this is required by federal law). For those
individuals who have this baby seat make and model, you can
get a free repair kit with the handle guard by phoning Evenflo
Recall Hotline at (800) 557-3178. You can also fill out a
registration form at their website (www.evenflo.com)
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Century
Products
In October
of 2000, the company Century Products recalled 4 million of
their rear-facing infant car seats/carriers with one-piece
handles. The defective part is the handle that can break off
and throw an infant to the ground where they can suffer serious
injuries. The company had over 2,500 handle-related problems,
including handles breaking, cracking, and not locking while
it is being used as a carrier. More than 200 injuries to infants
occurred on this model.
These
units were produced between January of 1991 and July of 1997.
To find the date on the carrier, look on the label on the
side where a six number series is written, such as 020393.
This would be February 3, 1993. The recalled model number
are as follows: 11-564, 11-565, 11-570, 11-575, 11-576, 11-578,
11-595, 11-597, 11-598, 11-599, 11-600, 12-565, 4513, 4515,
4516, 4518, 4551, 4557, 4558, 4559, 4564, 4565, 4566, 4568,
4569, 4575, 4576, 4589, 4591, 4593, 4594, 4595, and 4597.
Century
Products offered a free replacement handle via their hotline
number (800) 865-1419.
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Kolcraft
Enterprises
In December
of 1999, Kolcraft recalled the Infant Rider, Secura, Travel-About,
Plus 4, Plus 5, Kolcraft Infant Restraint, Kolcraft Infant
Car Seat, and Playskool Infant Car Seat. As with the previous
two recalls, this recall also involved the baby seat handle
that can unexpectedly move from its normal carrying position.
This can cause the seat to rotate and cause the infant to
be thrown to the ground. Since 1993 when these models were
first produced, there have been over 3,000 cases of handle
problems that have caused more than 4 infant injuries.
These
products were manufacturer until June of 1999. The recall
model/style numbers are as follows: 1312X, 1382X, 1383X, 1384X,
1385X, 368XX, 43XXX, and 7700X. These numbers are located
on the side of the baby car seat.
Kolcraft’s
Toll-Free Recall Line is (877) 776-2609.
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Cosco
Inc.
In July
of 1999, Cosco recalled some 650,000 units of its Arriva and
Turnabout infant car seat/carriers. These models were manufactured
between March 1995 and September 1997. These infant carriers
have handle locks on both side of the seat that have been
known to suddenly release, sending the car seat forward. There
have been 151 reports of the unexpected release of handles
and 29 injuries. Injury reports have involved both buckled
in infants as well as those who have been without restraint.
The manufacture
date and model number are located on a label on the side of
the seat. The recalled Arriva model numbers are 02-665, 02-729,
02-731, 02-732, 02-733, 02-751, 02-756, and 02-757. The recalled
Turnabout model numbers are 02-758, 02-759, 02-760, 02-761,
02-762, 02-763, 02-764, 02-765, and 02-667. The recalled Canadian
model numbers are 02-H29, 02-H33, 02-H34 02-H50, 02-H51, 02-H58,
02-H59, and 02-H60.
A free
repair kit is available from Cosco at (800) 221-6736.
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Evenflo
Company, Inc.
In March
5 of 1998, Evenflo recalled 800,000 units of its "On
My Way" infant car seat/carriers. The red push button
assembly on each side of the seat that latches and adjusts
the carrying handle can unexpectedly release and cause the
seat to flip forward. There have been 176 reports involving
the unexpected release of the handle latch with 89 injuries.
Injury reports involved both restrained and unrestrained children.
The recall
involves model numbers 207 and 492 manufactured from Dec.
15, 1995, to July 27, 1997. Look for the model number and
manufacture date on the bottom of the seat. Contact Evenflo
for additional safety and/or recall notices at (800) 203-2138.
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