In the largest recall of strollers ever in the US, Graco has urged parents not to use their strollers because of possible strangulation risks.
The strollers in question were manufactured before July 2007 and were bought by around 2 million people. They have been linked to four infant deaths and a further five instances of children becoming entrapped in the stroller, resulting in cuts and bruises as well as breathing difficulties.
Graco’s president, Doug McGraw has said that part of the reason for the recall of the 2007 model was that parents were still buying and selling second hand strollers.
Consumer advocates have been asking why it took so long for the recall to be issued, which applies to the specific models Qattro Tour and MetroLite travel systems and strollers. These models were on sale from November 2000 through to December 2007.
The issue with the strollers is when children are not strapped in properly, they are at an increased risk of becoming trapped between the seat and the plastic food tray which rests across the front of the seat.
Graco joins other brands Evenflo, Cybex, Valco, Eddie Bauer and Maxi-Cosi in recalling child restraint systems or strollers in an October which has been full of product recalls in the infant and child sector. Recalls are because of everything from wrong installation directions, faulty design, strangulation hazard and risk of suffocation.
Model numbers affected on all recalled items can be found on the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s website.
