HUGE MacLaren recall on Tuesday?!?

[B0000rt]

http://baby411.typepad.com/babybargains/2009/11/recall-massive-maclaren-stroller-recall-coming-this-tuesday.html

Anyone's heard about this?

[islena]

No ... but apparently it's the 99th most popular search in the past hour (as per Google search).

[Survivor2008]

Thx for posting - scared the sh*t out of me!

[B0000rt]

Looks like it's true

http://www.maclarenbaby.com/us/content/view/88571/98889731/lang,en/

Frequently Asked Questions

What led to this recall?
Based upon the increase in the number of finger trap incidents in the U.S. we felt it was in the interest of customer safety to quickly develop a solution to this potential problem. Safety has been a compulsory focus for our entire 42 year history. The solution was developed with cooperation from the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Are Maclaren Strollers safe?
Yes, Maclaren USA's strollers meet all U.S. ASTM & JPMA compliance standards. These certifications guarantee our strollers meet the required maximum safety standards.. The voluntary recall is to alert the operator when opening or closing the stroller of the possible risk of injury.

Maclaren umbrella strollers have served as the benchmark for quality for this category and have maintained outstanding records for safety along with durability for over 40 years. Our worldwide return rates are less than 1%.

What is the safety concern?
The elbow joint of the stroller's hinge mechanism poses a risk to the child when the consumer is unfolding/opening or closing the stroller. When the stroller is fully opened and erect there is no risk of finger entrapment. Please check the images.

All Maclaren strollers conform to and often exceed ASTM standards. This is a voluntary recall and does not relate to a product defect nor non-compliance with U.S. or other international standards.

Maclaren's Zero Tolerance policy of safety is built upon the provenance when you buy something for your baby excellence is the least you expect.

What model stroller does this apply to?
The voluntary recall involves all Maclaren single and double strollers. It does not relate to a specific model or year of purchase.

How do I eliminate risk of injury?
We are providing free of charge hinge covers [insert link to image of hinge mechanism and remedy]. To obtain your hinge covers please fill out the online form or call us at 1-877-688-2326. This remedy was developed in cooperation with the Consumer Product Safety Commission and will avoid possible contact with the side hinges to eliminate risk of injury.

Strollers are mechanical products not unlike bicycles or automobiles and have scissor or pinch points that cannot be eliminated. Never use your hands to open or close the stroller – they are engineered to be operated by foot. Operators should always read the operating instructions before use—don’t force the mechanisms—stop and check the instructions.

Do I need to return my stroller to the store or to Maclaren to make the repair?
No, you can request the hinge covers through this website www.maclaren.us/recall which are easily affixed by anyone operating the umbrella stroller. We have included instructions with the hinge covers. They do not require technical assistance to insure safe operation.

What does the cover kit consist of?
The kit consists of two simple covers to fit the left and right hand hinges on the sides of the stroller. Twin stroller owners will receive a set with three covers (for both side and middle hinges). Be sure when making your request to enter the correct type of stroller on your application (single or twin stroller).Please check the demo

Is it safe to use my stroller while I wait for the covers to arrive?
Until the kit arrives and you have fitted it, you should use extra care when folding and unfolding the strollers and be sure children's hands are well clear of all mechanisms. Always remember that vigilant parent care is the best action to prevent injuries of this type happening to infants when strollers or any other 'mechanical' products are being used with children.

I have a stroller made by a different manufacturer with a similar hinge. Does the cover kit fit other similar strollers?
The Maclaren hinge covers are designed to fit Maclaren strollers only and are not available to owners of non-Maclaren strollers.

What information do I need when I apply for the hinge covers?
We will just need your contact details and your Maclaren stroller model (this includes the identification number located on the underside of your stroller if you bought it since 2007). You do not need proof of purchase.

I am planning to buy a Maclaren stroller, do I need to obtain the hinge covers?
Retailers are required to provide the hinge covers with your purchase. Within a few months all strollers will have the hinge covers already fitted.

I have two Maclaren strollers. Can I apply for more than one set of hinge covers?
You will need to fill out two applications as we can only supply one set of covers per order.

Can I get the hinge covers from my retailer?
It will be faster to request your kit while you are on this site now as we cannot ensure all retailers will have sufficient stock of kits for all of their customers.

How do I check the status of my shipment of hinge covers?
Please allow for 7 business days from date of your order for delivery, please email us at recall@maclarenbaby.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it to check the status of your shipment.

[islena]

http://www.cbc.ca/consumer/story/2009/11/09/consumer-stroller-recall.html

More than one million Maclaren strollers have been recalled in the U.S. after reports that 12 children had their fingertips cut off by the hinge mechanism.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced the recall Monday. It involves all Maclaren single and double umbrella strollers, including the Volo, Triumph, Quest Sport, Quest Mod, Techno XT, TechnoXLR, Twin Triumph, Twin Techno and Easy Traveller.

Health Canada has no plan for a recall here, despite the fact about 100,000 identical models have been sold across the country since 1999. No injuries have been reported.

Canadian customers who have concerns will be eligible for a free repair kit, which consists of a fabric sleeve that can be slipped over the folding hinge, said Sam Perez, president and CEO of Kushies Baby, the Brampton, Ont.-based Canadian distributor of Maclaren strollers.

Maclaren USA has received 15 reports of children placing their fingers in the stroller's hinge mechanism, resulting in 12 reports of fingertip damage. The safety commission said the problem involves the stroller's hinge mechanism as it is opened and unfolded.

Perez expressed surprise that any injuries were reported in the U.S. He said nearly all folding strollers use the same type of hinge mechanism.

"If you look at the stroller, [a finger laceration] can only happen if the child is in the stroller and you're trying to close it. It's a very, very weird situation," said Perez.

The Maclaren strollers range in price from $100 and $360 US and were made in China between 1999 through November 2009.

The British-based firm touts its umbrella strollers for their light weight, solid design, and ease of use, which includes the ability for the stroller to be unfolded with one hand in five seconds.

Consumers are warned to stop using the recalled strollers and contact Maclaren USA to receive a free repair kit.

[congenic]

Tried filling out the order form but there's no option for Canadian address (even though the above cbc article stated that Canadians are eligible for the kit.)

Anyone have success yet?

[B0000rt]

IMO, I think the recall is BS too.

Who has their kid in the stroller when they're closing, or almost finishing to open it open

[night_day]

IMO, I think the recall is BS too.

Who has their kid in the stroller when they're closing, or almost finishing to open it open

You underestimate the stupidity of people ;)

[islena]

Tried filling out the order form but there's no option for Canadian address (even though the above cbc article stated that Canadians are eligible for the kit.)

Anyone have success yet?

http://recall.maclarenbaby.com/faq.php:
How do I eliminate risk of injury?
We are providing free of charge hinge covers [insert link to image of hinge mechanism and remedy]. To obtain your hinge covers please fill out the online form or call us at 1-877-688-2326. This remedy was developed in cooperation with the Consumer Product Safety Commission and will avoid possible contact with the side hinges to eliminate risk of injury.

You could try calling?

[hero]

I think we have to go through their canadian site or canadian distributor to get the free repair kit.

Here're the link:

http://www.maclarenbaby.com/global/content/view/451/88889601/lang,en/

Maclaren | Canada

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
(905) 643-9118
(905) 632-2102

Kushies Baby
555 Barton Street
Stoney Creek
Ontario
L8E 5S1 Canada

OR

http://www.kushies.com/Cataloque/maclaren/maclaren.html

Kushies Baby
555 Barton Street, Stoney Creek, Ontario
Canada L8E 5S1

Tel: (905) 643-9118, Fax: (905) 643-2102

Atm, both links are down/disabled :rolleyes:, so your best option is to call them.

Hope it helps!

[JonSS]

I called Kushies and they are giving out the US 1-877 number.

[ildara]

http://www.parentcentral.ca/parent/newsfeatures/article/723704--u-s-stroller-recall-sparks-local-worries

No injuries of children have been reported in Canada from Maclaren strollers, Health Canada said Tuesday, so the recall is not being extended here.

"(We are) currently in discussion with Maclaren Hong Kong, the exclusive manufacturer of the Canadian products, to ascertain whether the models sold in the U.S are the same as the ones sold in Canada," Health Canada spokeswoman Christelle Legault said.

"If so, Health Canada will work with the company to initiate appropriate corrective measures. "

A spokesman at Maclaren in Britain said Tuesday the strollers sold there were the same as the ones sold in the U.S.

Maclaren USA Inc. was offering parents, including Canadian parents, "retrofit packages" with sleeves to cover the hinges on the strollers. Their number is 1-877-688-2326 or 1-877-442-4622.

[902linger]

I just called the 877 number to sign up. It was pretty painless, actually - no problem getting it shipped to a Canadian addresses. Once I said I was from Canada the girl on the phone started reading some kind of script about how it is the same model sold in US and Canada, Canada didn't feel a recall was necessary, Maclaren is offering to provide the hinge cover parts to Canadians anyways, etc.

Was off the phone inside of 5 minutes total.

There's a video of what's being shipped and how to install it on youtube - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TR46uNouAjk

[jjtsl]

I just called the 877 number to sign up. It was pretty painless, actually - no problem getting it shipped to a Canadian addresses. Once I said I was from Canada the girl on the phone started reading some kind of script about how it is the same model sold in US and Canada, Canada didn't feel a recall was necessary, Maclaren is offering to provide the hinge cover parts to Canadians anyways, etc.

Was off the phone inside of 5 minutes total.

There's a video of what's being shipped and how to install it on youtube - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TR46uNouAjk

Did you have to provide the stroller VIN number? Through the Kushies website, one can submit a request for the kit. The problem I have is that they ask for the stroller VIN # and my VIN # sticker is quite worn out, so I can't read all the numbers.

[902linger]

Did you have to provide the stroller VIN number? Through the Kushies website, one can submit a request for the kit. The problem I have is that they ask for the stroller VIN # and my VIN # sticker is quite worn out, so I can't read all the numbers.

Nope - no request for VIN# when calling the recall number.

[jjtsl]

Thanks, I'll give them a call. How did you manage to get through to them?

[islena]

http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2009/11/13/consumer-maclaren-strollers-recall.html

http://cpsr-rspc.hc-sc.gc.ca/PR-RP/recall-retrait-eng.jsp?re_id=883

Pinching hazard:
http://cpsr-rspc.hc-sc.gc.ca/PR-RP/servlet/ShowImage?photoId=2561

[902linger]

Thanks, I'll give them a call. How did you manage to get through to them?

All I did was call 1-877-688-2326 and say I wanted the recall kit.