All Maclaren strollers recalled for ‘finger amputation’
According to company press releases, the Maclaren stroller company is recalling all strollers sold since 1999. Says the New York Daily News,
The step comes after 12 kids allegedly had their fingertips amputated by Maclaren strollers.
Say what?
Like a gajillion parents in New York City and its surrounding suburbs, our wheels were produced by the British stroller maker. Their products are beloved by urbanites for being lightweight, narrow and stylish. They’re upscale without requiring a home-equity loan; they’re practical without tacking on 12 different compartments plus a built-in fridge.
I had trouble getting into Maclaren’s web site; I’m sure it’s overloaded right now with frantic parents. Below is the entire release on their recall page (I bolded the affected models):
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Consistent with our unwavering commitment to child safety we are providing U.S. consumers notice of a voluntary recall of all Maclaren umbrella strollers sold in the U.S. In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, we are providing free of charge to all affected consumers and retailers a kit to cover the stroller’s hinge mechanism, which poses a fingertip amputation and laceration hazard to the child when the consumer is unfolding/opening the stroller. The affected models include Volo, Triumph, Quest Sport, Quest Mod, Techno XT, Techno XLR, Twin Triumph, Twin Techno and Easy Traveller.
Maclaren USA’s Umbrella Strollers meet all U.S. ASTM & JPMA compliance standards. These certifications guarantee our umbrella strollers meet the maximum safety standards available. The voluntary recall is to alert the operator when opening or closing the stroller of the possible risk of injury.
Safety is our first priority and through this voluntary effort we urge consumers to contact us immediately to obtain the kit which consists of hinge covers designed specifically to fit all Maclaren strollers.
Maclaren stresses all operators read the instruction manual prior to use which contains valuable safety tips and service recommendations.
So it sounds like you can contact the company (via the link) to send you a kit that provides hinge covers to protect your baby’s fingers from “amputation and laceration.” It’s not clear if you can simply ask for your money back — a Twin Triumph, after all, costs $265 — or if you’ll have to unload your purchase at your next yard sale.
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I think that, regardless of stroller design, it is a very good idea to keep childrens hands and feet away from strollers during the folding and unfolding operations. I don’t care how “child safe” a design allegedly is, I think that moving parts + small, curious hands = injury. Poor kids!
I agree. What are kids doing in or near a folding or unfolding stroller?
In response to another comment. See in context »Being curious. Moving things are interesting. It’s just part of the job of the parent to ruin kid’s fun sometimes.
Appreciate the tip. I sent it to my daughter. Maybe not such a good idea to recommend selling it at the next yard sale to someone else whose child can get their fingertip cut off?
Naturally you’d attach a note advising the buyer to write in for the hinge caps, right?
In response to another comment. See in context »