CPSC, NHTSA and Kolcraft Announce Recall of Infant Car Seats/Carriers
Press Release # 00-034
Transcript
(Person getting out of a car with a carrier in his/her hands and going up some stairs to a house) In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Kolcraft is recalling about 754,000 infant car seat/carriers. (carrier with a doll inside) When used as an infant carrier, the handle can unexpectedly move from the intended (carrier flipping, doll is face down) carrying position, causing the seat to suddenly rotate. When this happens, the infant can fall to the ground and suffer serious injuries.
(Someone holding a repair kit) Kolcraft is offering a free repair kit to address the problem. (woman outdoor walking with carrier in her hands) There have been more than 3,000 reports of handle-related problems, most of which were reports of the handle unexpectedly moving from the intended use position, resulting in 42 injuries. (carrier flipping and doll is face down) Injuries occurred to both restrained and unrestrained infants and ranged from a skull fracture and concussions to cuts, scrapes and bruises.
(NHTSA Acting Administrator Rosalyn Millman speaking) "This recall is not related to how these carriers performed as car seats. Using a child safety seat on the rear seat for every trip is the safest way to transport young children in a motor vehicle. Parents should continue using these carriers as car seats."
(Three seats, model names) The recall involves the following model names: Secura, Travel-About, Plus 4, Plus 5, Infant Rider, -Kolcraft Infant Restraint, Kolcraft Infant Car Seat and Playskool Infant Car Seat, (dates) manufactured from January 1, 1993, through June 30, 1999. (seat, model and style numbers) They have the following first digits as their model or style numbers:... (label) The number and the manufacturing date are on a label on the side of the seat. (stroller with car seat/carrier) Some of these car seat/carriers also were sold with strollers.
Juvenile product, mass merchandise and major discount stores nationwide sold the car seat/carriers (three seats, dates and prices) beginning in January 1993 for about 30 to 60 dollars when sold alone, (one stroller, dates and prices) or 100 to 150 dollars when sold with strollers.
(CPSC's Chairman Ann Brown speaking) "Since these were first sold in 1993, you could have it stored up in your attic or somewhere in your home. If you've ever used a car seat/carrier, find it and check to see if it's one of the recalled models."
(Instruction booklet) Kolcraft will provide a free repair kit to make the handle more secure. The repair can easily be done in the home. (person putting seat in car, using both hands, not gripping the handle) Until your seat is repaired, you should not carry the car seat by the handle. You can continue to use the product as a car seat or with the stroller. (seat in car) Remember to restrain infants when in the car seat/carrier. (person walking around the car to get into the driver's side) To receive a free repair kit, or for more information, call Kolcraft's (number shown) toll free number at: 877-776-2609 (close-up of person in car putting on seat belt) anytime.
In Washington, this is David Wright reporting.
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