Graco recalls 2 million baby strollers after 4 deaths

[S. C.]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20101020/...s_graco_recall

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Graco Children's Products Inc, a unit of Newell Rubbermaid, is recalling about 2 million baby strollers sold before 2008 at major U.S. retailers, after four infants died of strangulation.

The news of the recall of the China-made strollers comes less than three weeks after Mattel Inc's Fisher-Price recalled some 10 million toys and other items, renewing concerns about safety standards of infant products -- a good chunk of which are made in low-cost centers like China.

"We have taken appropriate reserves and do not expect a material impact on the company," Newell spokesman David Doolittle said in an e-mail to Reuters.

The latest recall, made along with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, applies to Graco Quattro Tour and MetroLite strollers sold at retailers including Babies R Us, Sears, Target and Wal-Mart between November 2000 and December 2007.

In addition to the four deaths, the CPSC said it was also aware of reports of five infants becoming entrapped, resulting in cuts and bruises, and one having difficulty breathing.

"This recall involves strollers sold as long as 10 years ago, demonstrating the ongoing need for families to remain vigilant about hazardous products lurking in their homes," said Dan Verakis, founder and CEO of SafetyBook.org, which runs a recall-monitoring service for consumers.

Earlier this year, Graco recalled another 1.5 million strollers after the CPSC received reports of children's fingertips being amputated.

"We take this issue very seriously," Doolittle said, adding, "this is a product category that is heavily regulated and therefore subject to a higher number of recalls."

(Reporting by Dhanya Skariachan, editing by Maureen Bavdek)

 

[shelly3girls]

This recall was a little disturbing to me. Not b/c of the recall but b/c of the way these babies died. In the article I read it said that the deaths were a result of the babies slipping under the tray when not strapped in. These were newborns. Who puts a newborn in a stroller and doesn't strap them in? Don't get me wrong, these are tragic deaths and no one deserves this and the manufacturers need to protect our children but could parents please start using a little common sense too?

 

[csharpwv]

This recall was a little disturbing to me. Not b/c of the recall but b/c of the way these babies died. In the article I read it said that the deaths were a result of the babies slipping under the tray when not strapped in. These were newborns. Who puts a newborn in a stroller and doesn't strap them in? Don't get me wrong, these are tragic deaths and no one deserves this and the manufacturers need to protect our children but could parents please start using a little common sense too?

I couldn't agree more!

If it can be proven that the product was NOT being used correctly I do not feel that the company should have to recall the product.

"Use our product according to the instructions and no one gets hurt!"

Do I believe there are cases of GROSS negligence on the part of some companies? YES, I think some rush products to market without proper consumer testing - BUT I think companies should start printing expiration dates on their products. "This stroller can be used for 5 years without defect or harm when used according to printed instructions - or you are entitled to a new/replacement product"

How can a product that has been on the market for a decade be subject to a monetary value recall?!?!?!?

In no way shape or form am I 'anti-consumer' and 'pro-corporation' - I could be described as wildly PRO-COMMON SENSE!

Don't do something STUPID like push your child around in a moving device without the proper safety restraints/straps etc etc in place to keep your child safe!

Come on folks!

 

[Swimalie]

What bothers me is that the deaths occurred between 2003 ad 2007. Why did it take 3 years for the recall to happen? And I agree, no newborn should be in a stroller and not strapped in. That is not the fault of the manufacturer.