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Infants in Bumbo Baby Seats Falling from Elevated Surfaces and Suffering Serious Head Injuries

By CPSC Blogger on November 22, 2011

Bumbo Baby Seat

Are you putting your infant in a Bumbo seat that looks like this, on an elevated surface? If so, STOP and read this warning.

NEVER put a Bumbo baby seat on a table, countertop, chair or other elevated surface.

ONLY put an infant in a Bumbo seat if it is on a floor.

Infants placed in Bumbo seats can escape from the seat by arching their backs, leaning forward or sideways or rocking. Infants age 3 to 10 months old have suffered serious head injuries—such as a skull fracture or concussion—from falling from a Bumbo baby seat when this happens.

CPSC and Bumbo International are aware of at least 45 incidents in which infants fell out of Bumbo seat while it was being used on an elevated surface. These incidents happened after an October 2007 voluntary recall of the product to add a warning on the front of the seat against use on elevated surfaces.

Since the recall, CPSC and Bumbo International have learned that 17 of those infants, ages 3 to 10 months, suffered skull fractures. These incidents and injuries involved both recalled Bumbo seats and Bumbo seats sold after the recall with the additional on-product warnings.

CPSC and Bumbo International are also aware of an additional 50 reports of infants falling or maneuvering out of Bumbo seats used on the floor and at unknown elevations. These incidents include two reports of skull fractures and one report of a concussion that occurred when infants fell out of Bumbo seats used on the floor. These injuries reportedly occurred when the infants struck their heads on hard flooring, or in one case, on a nearby toy.

At the time of the 2007 recall announcement, CPSC was aware of 28 falls from the product, three of which resulted in skull fractures to infants who fell or maneuvered out of the product used on an elevated surface.

CPSC and Bumbo International are now aware of at least 46 falls from Bumbo seats used on elevated surfaces that occurred prior to the 2007 recall, resulting in 14 skull fractures, two concussions and one incident of a broken limb.

About 3.85 million Bumbo seats have been sold in the U.S. since 2003.

A look at YouTube shows babies sitting in the seats on all sorts of unsafe surfaces: tables, bathroom counters, kitchen counters and couches and even in a kiddie pool. These are NOT safe ways to use this product.

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This address for this post is: http://www.cpsc.gov/onsafety/2011/11/infants-in-bumbo-baby-seats-falling-from-elevated-surfaces-and-suffering-serious-head-injuries/

Stop Using Pourable Gel Fuels

By CPSC Blogger on September 1, 2011

The use of pourable gel fuels in firepots is dangerous. These fuels pose serious flash fire and burn hazards. Stop using them!

These hazards are why 9 manufacturers and distributors are recalling pourable gel fuels. Another manufacturer, Napa Home & Garden recalled its pourable gel fuel products in June 2011. If you own pourable gel fuel, contact the company that makes or distributes the gel fuel for a refund and information on returning the fuel to them. Some manufacturers are working on their recall programs and will have more information available soon.

CPSC scientists and engineers have studied gel fuel and have found that dangerous fire and burn risks can result from the fuel’s use with firepots.

CPSC is aware of 65 incidents involving gel fuels resulting in 2 deaths. To date, CPSC knows of 34 victims who were hospitalized with second- and third-degree burns to their face, chest, hands, arms or legs.

All consumers need to be aware of the serious fire and burn hazards that can occur from refilling already lit firepots with gel fuel. Because firepot flames can be hard to see under certain circumstances, a consumer may not realize that the firepot is still burning.

Flaming fuel can splatter onto people and objects nearby.

It is difficult to put out a gel fuel fire. “Stop, drop and roll” does not work on gel fuel fires. These fires are difficult to extinguish with water. Patting the fire off of someone can spread the gel and the fire onto the person trying to put out the fire. These fires can best be put out with an ABC- or BC-rated dry chemical or dry powder fire extinguisher.

Again, if you own pourable gel fuel, stop using them. Do not try to fix pourable gel fuel bottles with homemade remedies or replace the fuel with other flammable materials. Return the gel fuel to the company.

If you have an incident with gel fuel, report it to CPSC on SaferProducts.gov.

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This address for this post is: http://www.cpsc.gov/onsafety/2011/09/stop-using-pourable-gel-fuels/

phil&teds “metoo” Chairs: A Recall and a Remedy

By CPSC Blogger on August 17, 2011

Remember those phil&teds metoo clip-on chairs that we told you about in May? Phil&teds is now recalling the chairs and providing you with a remedy.

Phil&teds and CPSC have received 19 reports of the chairs falling off a variety of different table surfaces, resulting in five injuries. Two reports of injuries involved children’s fingers being severely pinched, lacerated, crushed or amputated. Three other reports involved bruising injuries that occurred when a child struck the table or floor after the chair suddenly detached.

Here’s what happens:

Chairs can detach from a variety of different table surfaces because of missing or worn clamp pads. When one side of the chair detaches and falls, children’s fingers can get caught between the front bar and the clamping mechanism. Here’s what the problem looks like:

To watch this video in Adobe Flash format, you may need to download the Adobe Flash player. You can also watch the video in Windows Media format.

(Watch in Windows Media format.)

User instructions for the chairs are inadequate, too, and can increase the likelihood of consumer misuse.

Stop using the chairs immediately and call the company toll-free at (877) 432-1641 or visit the company’s website at: www.philandteds.com/support to receive a free new repair kit. The new kit includes new rubber clamp pads and rubber boots and plastic spacers, plus tools and instructions for installing the new pieces onto the chair. The repair kit also comes with revised instructions on how to use the chair correctly. All consumers who have these chairs should get revised instructions from the website.

Even if you previously received a repair kit from phil&teds with only rubber boots, you should stop using the chair and get the NEW repair kit. The old kit you received from the company does not include all of the parts necessary to prevent the fall and amputation hazards.

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This address for this post is: http://www.cpsc.gov/onsafety/2011/08/philteds-metoo-chairs-a-recall-and-a-remedy/

3-Year-Old’s Death Prompts Big Lots Futon Bunk Bed Recall

By CPSC Blogger on June 16, 2011

If you bought a metal futon bunk bed at Big Lots between January 2009 and April 2010, listen up.

This bunk bed has been recalled:

Big Lots Metal Futon Bunk Bed

A 3-year-old Burlington, Iowa, boy was behind the futon when the futon was lowered from the seated position to the flat position. The boy was trapped at the head and neck. The weight of the futon’s metal frame prevented him from breathing and escaping. Sadly, he died.

In addition to the hazard that this boy experienced – called an entrapment hazard – the space between the bottom rung of the bunk bed’s ladder and the futon mattress is too small. This means that a child’s body can pass through the opening but his head cannot. A child can get trapped in this opening.

If you own this bunk bed, stop using it immediately and call Big Lots at (866) 244-5687 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, e-mail the firm at talk2us@biglots.com or visit the firm’s website www.biglots.com. The company is providing a free repair kit that contains new ladders and other parts that you can install at home.

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This address for this post is: http://www.cpsc.gov/onsafety/2011/06/child-death-prompts-big-lots-futon-bunk-bed-recall/

Additional Injuries Prompt Maclaren USA to Reannounce the November 2009 Stroller Recall

By CPSC Blogger on May 12, 2011

Maclaren stroller owners: Pay attention!

Due to additional reports of incidents, CPSC and Maclaren are reannouncing a recall of all of Maclaren USA’s single and double umbrella strollers sold prior to November 2009 – 1 million in total. The problem is that a child can get his/her finger caught in the hinge mechanism when you are opening or closing the stroller.

Maclaren has received a total of 149 reports of incidents with the strollers, including 37 reported injuries that occurred after the stroller was recalled in November 2009. These reported injuries consisted of five additional fingertip amputations, 16 additional cuts and 16 additional fingertip entrapments/bruising. At the time of the original recall, there were 15 incidents, including 12 reports of fingertip amputations in the United States.

The repair for this problem is simple. You can order a free repair kit online by contacting the company at hingecovers@maclaren-usa.com. Or you can order a free repair kit by calling Maclaren, USA toll-free at (877) 688-2326. The company will send you fabric hinge covers to install on your stroller. Maclaren USA is taking calls between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.

Don’t delay. Order your repair kit today.

To watch this video in Adobe Flash format, you may need to download the Adobe Flash player. You can also watch the video in Windows Media format.

(Read the transcript, or watch in Windows Media format.)

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This address for this post is: http://www.cpsc.gov/onsafety/2011/05/additional-injuries-prompt-maclaren-usa-to-reannounce-the-november-2009-stroller-recall/

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