FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Originally issued March 5, 1998, Last Revised April 24, 2006
Release # 98-076 |
Company Phone Number: (800) 233-5921
CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: Nychelle Fleming, (301) 504-7063
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Note: Telephone number, web site change.
NHTSA, CPSC Announce Recall of Evenflo On My Way Infant Car Seats/Carriers
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced the recall of about 800,000 Evenflo On My Way infant car seats/carriers because of a defect that can cause serious injuries to children while the seats are being used as infant carriers.
Parents should continue using these rear-facing infant car seats, but should not use the carrying handle until new parts are installed to fix the problem, said NHTSA Administrator Ricardo Martinez, M.D. Safety is our highest transportation priority. A child safety seat that is installed and used correctly is the most effective safety device available for young children in automobiles.
The recall involves On My Way infant car seat/carrier model numbers 207 and 492 manufactured from Dec. 15, 1995, to July 27, 1997. The model 492 is the On My Way Travel System, which includes a stroller. Model 207 is the car seat/carrier without the stroller. The manufacture date and model number are located on the bottom of the seat. Juvenile product, mass merchandise and major discount stores nationwide sold the car seats beginning in January 1996 for about $60 to $70, and the car seat with stroller for $150 to $175.
The red push button assembly on each side of the seat that is used to latch and adjust the carrying handle can unexpectedly release and cause the seat to flip forward. There have been 176 reports in which the carrying handle latch unexpectedly released, resulting in 89 injuries to children, including bruises, concussions and skull fractures. The injuries occurred to both restrained and unrestrained children.
This is a serious problem that puts infants at risk, said CPSC Chairman Ann Brown. The latches on these car seat carriers can release without warning. Parents who have this car seat should call for the free repair kit immediately.
The recall results from a cooperative investigation conducted by NHTSA and the CPSC.
Evenflo will provide a repair kit, free of charge, with redesigned latch buttons that will make the handle latch much stronger. The repair can be done in the home with a Phillips head screwdriver. Until the seats are repaired, NHTSA and the CPSC advise owners not to carry a seat by its handle, but to use the hand holds at the head and foot of the seat.
Owners of these seats should call Evenflo at (800) 233-5921 to give their name and address so that they can receive the repair kit, or visit Evenflo's web site at www.evenflo.com to find out more information on this recall.
Consumers with questions about this recall campaign may call NHTSA s toll-free Auto Safety Hotline at 1-800-424-9393. The number to call in the Washington, D.C., area is 202-366-0123. Information also is available from the CPSC Hotline at 1-800-638-2772.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about your experience with the product on SaferProducts.gov
CPSC is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of the thousands of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $900 billion annually. CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical or mechanical hazard. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters and household chemicals - contributed to a decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.
Federal law bars any person from selling products subject to a publicly-announced voluntary recall by a manufacturer or a mandatory recall ordered by the Commission.
To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury go online to www.SaferProducts.gov or call CPSC's Hotline at (800) 638-2772 or teletypewriter at (301) 595-7054 for the hearing impaired. Consumers can obtain news release and recall information at www.cpsc.gov, on Twitter @OnSafety or by subscribing to CPSC's free e-mail newsletters.