| Office of Information and Public Affairs | Washington, DC 20207 |
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | |
| July 13, 1982 | |
| Release # 82-031 |
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Gerico, Inc., Denver, Colorado, today announced a voluntary repair program affecting approximately 238,000 "Gerry Carrier" and "Pak-A-Poose" baby back carriers. The carriers were manufactured between March 1979 and February 1981 and are being repaired because of a Potential infant finger entrapment in the hinge mechanism on the moveable stand which supports the carrier when it is placed on a surface. The potential for entrapment occurs if the carrier's stand bar is opened while the child is in the carrier on the adult's back and the child's fingers are out of view.
The Commission is aware of at least 23 incidents of finger entrapment resulting in 9 injuries. Injuries have included pinching, lacerations, and partial finger tip severance.
Only carriers manufactured between March 1979 and February 1981 are involved. Carriers manufactured before or after these dates are not subject to repair since they contain differently designed hinge mechanisms.
The carrier was sold under the "Gerry" brand name by independent and chain retailers nationwide, as well as in U.S. Army and Air Force Exchanges. Retailers included K mart, Best Products, Woolworth, Woolco, Toys "R" Us and Montgomery Ward. The carrier was also sold nationwide under the label "Pak-A-Poose" by Sears, Roebuck and Co. The carriers sold at a price range of approximately $18-$30.
To identify the product, consumers should locate the plastic brace at the bottom of the carrier. The date code of two, three or four digits is imprinted on the lower right inside portion of the brace (when facing the carrier straps). The first number is the last digit of the year the product was made. The following number or numbers on the top and bottom lines indicate what day of the year the item was manufactured (see attached drawing). Products covered by the program fall between 9/64 (the sixty-fourth day of 1979) and l/60 (the sixtieth day of 1981). All carriers with date codes beginning with the digit 0 are affected since they were made in 1980.
Gerico will provide a free kit to owners of these carriers. The kit contains "safety shields" to be fitted over the two hinge areas.
Consumers having affected carriers can obtain the free safety shields by calling Gerico weekdays, on its toll-free number, l-800-525-2472 or by writing to Gerico, Inc., P.O. Box 33755, Denver, Colorado 80233.
Until consumers receive the "safety shields," they are urged to use caution if operating the stand bar with the carrier on their backs by opening the stand slowly and being sure children's fingers are away from the hinge mechanism.