Maclaren to Recall 1 Million Strollers

Fears of Children Getting Fingers Amputated Sparks Recall Dating Back to 1999

(CBS/ AP)  Updated at 3:25 p.m. Eastern time

About a million Maclaren strollers sold by Target and Babies "R" Us were recalled Monday, after 12 reports of children having their fingertips amputated by a hinge mechanism.

The recall includes all nine models of single and double umbrella Maclaren strollers, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which announced the recall after an investigation.

The amputation risk occurs when a child's finger is placed in the hinge mechanism of a stroller while it is being unfolded. When the opened stroller locks into place, it can cut off the tip of the child's finger.

Click here to view the area of the stroller at the source of the recall

"Stop using it immediately," CBS News medical correspondent Dr. Jennifer Ashton advises parents who own a Maclaren stroller.

The recall includes the following stroller models: Volo, Triumph, Quest Sport, Quest Mod, Techno XT, TechnoXLR, Twin Triumph, Twin Techno and Easy Traveller. They have been sold at Babies "R" Us, Target and other stores around the country since 1999. Prices for the strollers ranged from $100 to $360.

The company is offering free hinge covers to prevent future incidents. The covers should not be removed unless the stroller is being cleaned, according to the CPSC.

Click here to order hinge covers from Maclaren

"Our message to parents, grandparents and all caregivers is to make sure that you stop using these strollers until you get the repair kit, which zips the covers in place," said CPSC spokeswoman Patty Davis.

The strollers were manufactured in China and distributed by Maclaren USA Inc of South Norwalk, Conn.

The company could not immediately be reached by phone for comment and its Web site was offline.

Stroller recalls aren't unusual for the government agency. For example, the commission in August recalled about 41,000 strollers made by the company Baby Jogger because certain models used faulty buckles, which raised concerns that children could fall from the strollers.

Companies are required under federal law to alert the agency if they discover information about the safety of their products, according to the commission's Web site. The commission can hold companies accountable for not doing so.

For example, Costco agreed in 2001 to pay $1.75 million in fines to the commission in a settlement deal. The company, which the commission said was the largest manufacturer of strollers at the time, faced charges of not notifying the commission about defects with its cribs, strollers, car seat carriers and high chairs.

The commission lists its product recalls online. A search of its available stroller recalls, which date back to 1977, shows this is Maclaren's first recall.

[justdoit2000]

Are you red-necked nuts? How are you so sure this problem is caused by the manufacturing quality, not by a bad design? Even Macleran never claimed this is a problem caused by bad manufacturing quality.
American culture carries over too much arrogance, ignorance, selfishness and greediness. That?s why this country will be going down for sure at some point. China-made products used to be bad, but why the majority of the products in USA market still made in China? That?s because you guys are greedy and irresponsible. Juiceblog mentioned melanine, let me tell you a fxxking fact, most of the companies caught for melanine problems in China are either founded or invested by American capitals. What a shame it is!
Meanwhile please don?t hate immigrants. First check your stupid education system. I used to visit a middle school in USA, and saw some 14-year old kids still using their ten fingers to solve a simple algebraic problem. What a wholly shock!! Just think about it, If all the workers with H1B visas were expelled from this country, do you think all the people with stupid IQ like you can handle those high-tech jobs that those foreign PHDs, masters have left.

[justdoit2000]

Are you red-necked nuts? How are you so sure this problem is caused by the manufacturing quality, not by a bad design? Even Macleran never claimed this is a problem caused by bad manufacturing quality.
American culture carries over too much arrogance, ignorance, selfishness and greediness. That?s why this country will be going down for sure at some point. China-made products used to be bad, but why the majority of the products in USA market still made in China? That?s because you guys are greedy and irresponsible. Juiceblog mentioned melanine, let me tell you a fxxking fact, most of the companies caught for melanine problems in China are either founded or invested by American capitals. What a shame it is!
Meanwhile please don?t hate immigrants. First check your stupid education system. I used to visit a middle school in USA, and saw some 14-year old kids still using their ten fingers to solve a simple algebraic problem. What a wholly shock!! Just think about it, If all the workers with H1B visas were expelled from this country, do you think all the people with stupid IQ like you can handle those high-tech jobs that those foreign PHDs, masters have left.

[bubbadubba]

Well their race cars are good anyway.
LOL

[juiceblog]

Wow you had that problem 6 years ago? How many baby fingers were lost in those 6 years that they couldn't ignore the problem any longer? This stroller problem is just a small example of a MUCH larger problem. The Chinese poison our pets with melanine. Hell, they feed their OWN kids melanine tainted formula. A few Chinese get arrested and that's the end of it. Why would they care about OUR babies fingers? Made in China = crap. Stop buying ANYTHING marked Made in China! Then greedy American companies with stop outsourcing production and when they get hit in the wallet maybe the jobs will move back to American soil. That's a win/win for Americans.

On a side note I'd like to see some serious investigative reporting on the top American company outsourcers and the ones with highest numbers of employees with H-1B visa's. We need names! We unknowingly support these guys when we buy their products, contribute to 401k's that buy into these companies and when we invest as shareholders the offending companies. I'd rather spend a little bit more for a product that I KNOW was made in American by Americans! If it says Made in China put it down and walk away!

[brotherbobbie]

In 2003 my 2 year old daughter almost lost her finger tip due to a Maclaren stroller. (one of the recalled models) I contacted the company in writing to inform them of the dangers, but did not receive a response. Luckily, the finger tip was reattached.(leaving moderate nail disfigurement.)

[juiceblog]

Hmmm...Made in China. Another company trying to cut corners. How's your profit margin now?

[sd_irish]

Please correct the error in the second to last paragraph. The company which paid $1.75 million in fines ws Cosco, not Costco. Please also correct the dates of manufacture involved. They are 1999 - 2009.

[sd_irish]

Please correct the error in the second to last paragraph. The company which paid $1.75 million in fines ws Cosco, not Costco.

[jwesel1]

Costco agreed in 2001 to pay $1.75 million in fines to the commission in a settlement deal. The company, which the commission said was the largest manufacturer of strollers
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CostCo or Cosco. Costco doesn't manufacture although they sell stuff under Kirkland brand name.