CPSC, Hamill Manufacturing Co., And Huffman Manufacturing Co., Announce Recall Of Bicycle Child Carriers

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Oct. 15) -- Hamill Manufacturing Company, Washington, Michigan, and the Huffman Manufacturing Company, Dayton, Ohio, in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, today warned consumers that 25,000 bicycle child carriers may separate from the bicycle if not carefully installed.

The carriers were sold nationally under the trade name "Tote Along" during the summer of 1976.

Persons who have these carriers should carefully inspect both the latching mechanism which locks the detachable child seat to the carrier and the metal clamp which attaches the front of the carrier to the bicycle frame. Before placing a child in the carrier, check to see that the seat and clamp are secure.

The warning was issued after the companies reported to CPSC 10 accidents which involved either a separation of the seat from the carrier or of the carrier from the bicycle. Separation of the seat from the carrier appears to have been caused by a failure to push the seat onto the carrier far enough to secure the locking mechanism. Separation of the carrier from the bicycle may have been caused by consumer misalignment of the metal clamp components and/or extreme over-tightening of the bolt passing through the clamp.

In the interest of child safety, the companies are recalling the "Tote Along" carrier and are offering a refund to consumers who send them the seat clamp. For instructions on how to receive a refund, consumers should write The Hamill Manufacturing Company, Consumer Relations Department, P.O. Box 255, Washington, Michigan 48094, or call Hamill collect at the following number: 216/379-7792.