Strollers are a popular mode of transporting babies and children up to four years of age. Strollers vary from simple aluminum frames with a cloth sling-style seat to more elaborate versions with heavy duty frames, large rotating wheels, accessory baskets, cushioned seating and even room for two or more babies. Much smaller than the fully reclined pram or baby carriage of days gone by, modern strollers offer complete comfort for the child, portability for parents and convertibility according to the child’s age and physical size.

Stroller Defects

Recent defects in the manufacture and design of strollers include:

• Collapsing of strollers during use due to faulty construction
• Defective hinges that result in pinches, amputations and lacerations on fingers
• Spaces in the stroller’s construction, such as leg holes, that pose a risk of suffocation or strangulation
• Instability of frame that may result in a risk of tipping or falling
• Small parts that pose a choking hazard
• Exposed or sharp edges on metal tubing or other construction components that pose a risk of laceration or amputation
• Safety harness entanglement risk that may potentially cause strangulation

Statistics

An estimated 14,000 children are treated in hospital emergency rooms each year for injuries associated with strollers. The vast majority of those children are under age five and most are injured during falls from the strollers. Ninety percent of those seeking emergency treatment for stroller-associated injuries sustained injuries to the head. About two children die every year from stroller-related injuries.

Stroller Recalls

• In January of 2010, approximately 1,500 Cybex strollers were recalled due to a finger amputation or laceration risk associated with faulty hinges on the umbrella-style stroller. At least one child has suffered a fractured finger as a result of this defect.
• Also in January of 2010, 1.5 million Graco strollers were recalled after five children suffered amputated finger tips and two experienced severe lacerations due to pinching hinges.
• In 2002, Century recalled strollers after 681 reports of stroller collapse, including 250 that resulted in injury.

Cybex Stroller Recall

On January 27, 2010, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Health Canada, and Regal Lager Inc. announced a voluntary recall of approximately 1,100 Cybex strollers, due to a potential fingertip amputation and laceration hazard. The defective strollers have a hinge mechanism that can pose a hazard to children when the stroller is unfolded and opened.

The recall affects all Ruby, Onyx, and Topaz models of Cybex umbrella strollers, with “Cybex” printed on the side of the stroller.

The company has received one report of a child fracturing a finger in the hinge mechanism. The products were sold at various department and retail stores nationwide between August 2009 and November 2009.

Consumers are urged to stop using the recalled strollers immediately and contact Regal Lager at 800-593-5522 to receive a free hinge cover repair kit.

Maclaren Stroller Recall

On November 9, 2009, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Maclaren USA announced a voluntary recall of about 1 million Maclaren strollers. The recalled strollers have a hinge mechanism that could pose a fingertip amputation and laceration hazard to children when the stroller is opened or unfolded.

The recall affects all Maclaren single and double umbrella strollers that have “Maclaren” printed on the stroller. The strollers were sold at Target, Babies “R” Us, and other retail stores nationwide from 1999 through November 2009.

Maclaren has received 15 reports of children’s fingers getting caught in the hinge mechanism, with 12 reports of fingertip amputations in the United States.

Consumers are urged to stop using the recalled strollers immediately and contact Maclaren USA at 877-688-2326 to receive a free repair kit.