RECALL: Maclaren stroller update (interview, analysis)

Update Monday Nov 9, 12:26 pm MST

We just got off the phone with Bahman Kia, the president of Maclaren. Kia contacted us after seeing our blog post and wanted to go over the recall.

"It is important for us to do this right," Kia told us. Given Maclaren's widely panned reaction to a 2004 problem with wheels popping off their Techno stroller, Kia told us they realized they needed to do better this time out. 

Kia pointed out that Maclaren has had this same frame design for 40 years. He blamed the finger amputations on the "human factor"---users not following instructions that warn against having baby near by when opening or closing the stroller.

As you might guess, Maclaren has been inundated with calls and web site visitors since this story broke. Their web site is down as of this writing; Kia promised to look into the problem and get it back online ASAP.

Kia told us hinge covers have been sent out to retailers so their existing stock can be repaired. Kits are also being mailed this week to consumers.

Here's our take on the recall: Yes, Maclaren has sold over 1 million strollers in the past 10 years and there have been "only" 12 reports of kids who have had their fingertips amputated. So is this such a big deal?

Uh, yes, it is. First, millions of strollers are used every day without amputating kids fingers. What makes Maclaren unique is their frame design is more exposed than other stroller makers and hence those metal hinges can pose a safety hazard. When a company recalls 1 MILLION strollers, that is news . . . even if "just 12" kids have been permanently maimed. (There could be more out there that have not been reported to Maclaren).

As readers of our book know, we have recommended Maclaren strollers for many years. This is the first we have heard of finger amputations. But clearly, Maclaren has known about this for some time. While they failed to take the simple step of covering the hinges to prevent this problem is puzzling. 

And while we will give Maclaren props for advance planning for this recall, it is disappointing their web site has crashed today. Yes, there would be an overwhelming number of folks who will hit their server today---but they clearly didn't plan enough bandwidth. Lesson learned, we assume.

To be fair, we should note that many strollers are dangerous to around for toddlers or babies---especially when opening or closing. While it is safe for a baby to be IN a stroller, playing near or next to a stroller is clearly not a good idea. But are some strollers (like Maclaren) more hazardous than others? When did Maclaren know its hinges posed a safety problem? And no matter how vigilant you are as a parent, others (caregivers, friends) may quickly open a Maclaren stroller with a toddler nearby . . . 

This is the same debate that often develops around recalled baby products---is the design defective? Or are parents to blame?

We'll keep you posted on this recall as the situation develops.

Original post: Saturday Nov 7: 

Breaking news: Maclaren plans to recall 1 million strollers---all its production between 1999 and 2009---after receiving 12 reports of hinges on the stroller that amputated children's fingertips. The company will send out a cover for the hinges to all owners. 

BABY BARGAINS has learned the CPSC and Maclaren will issue a press release in the recall this Tuesday; Maclaren began notifying its dealers of the recall in the past couple of days. We have seen the letter that went out to retailers last week and can confirm the details.

Here is the take-home message until the recall is official:

• Stop using all Maclaren strollers---yes, every model made since 1999.

• When the recall goes public on Tuesday, order a hinge cover from Maclaren's web site or phone line. (Note: the web site is not live yet as of this writing).

• Wait until you install the hinge cover before using the stroller again.

We will blogging updates on this recall as it develops this week.

Update 11/09/09: We've just been sent the official press release on this from Maclaren which we are copying below. The web site is live but when we tried to access it at 12:30pm Eastern, it crashed, probably due to the volume of inquiries.

"For Immediate Release

Media Alert

 

Media Contacts:

Tricia Chan, Public Group LLC

917-239-0642, tricia@public-group.com

Company Contact:            

Charlotte Addison

T: 203 663 4554

Email: charlotte.addison@doryventures.com

 

 

Voluntary Recall Announced by Maclaren USA

 

HIGHLY REGARDED FOR SAFETY, MACLAREN VOLUNTARILY PROVIDES CHILD PROOF SOLUTION FOR ITS STROLLERS SOLD IN THE U.S.

 

(South Norwalk, CT— November 9, 2009) Consistent with Maclaren USA’s  unwavering commitment to child safety we are providing U.S. consumers notice of a voluntary recall of all Maclaren umbrella strollers sold in the U.S.  In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Maclaren is providing free of charge to all affected consumers and retailers a kit to cover the elbow joint on the umbrella stroller’s side hinge mechanism which can pose a potential finger hazard to a child when the operator is opening or closing the umbrella stroller.  

 

Safety is Maclaren’s first priority and through this voluntary effort we urge consumers to contact us immediately to obtain the kit which consists of hinge covers designed specifically to fit all Maclaren umbrella strollers. These easy to fit hinge covers will insure proper precautions are taken by the operator to avoid injury when opening or closing the umbrella stroller.

 

This voluntary recall does not relate to U.S. standards not being met. Maclaren umbrella strollers meet all U.S. ASTM & JPMA compliance standards. These certifications guarantee Maclaren umbrella strollers meet the required maximum safety standards. Maclaren umbrella strollers have served as the benchmark for quality for umbrella strollers and have maintained outstanding records for safety along with durability for over 40 years.

 

To obtain the hinge covers consumers can visit our website at

www.maclaren.us/recall or contact us toll-free at 877-688-2326 between the hours of 9am – 5pm Eastern Time. Maclaren U.S.A. stresses all operators read the instruction manual prior to use which contains valuable safety tips and service recommendations.

 

Since 1967, Maclaren has engineered its strollers to specifically exceed global standards for safety, reliability and durability. Nothing carries the Maclaren name until it is researched, tried and tested. Maclaren’s formal compulsory Zero Tolerance policy of safety issues is built upon the provenance when you buy something for your baby excellence is the least you expect.                                                                       

-more-

 

Maclaren Press Release

Page -2-

 

Important Safety Tips from Maclaren

 

Always read the operating instructions before use—don’t force the mechanisms—stop and check the instructions.

Keep children clear of the stroller during opening and folding.

Never leave your child unattended in a stroller – even with the harness fastened.

Always use the safety harness.

Don’t overload the stroller. Heavy items hanging from the handles can cause the stroller to topple over." 

Comments

[Anjani]

Wow. Do you know whether we'll need to have our original receipt? (Because there's no way I still have ours from four years ago!)

[Dr. Ari Brown / Denise & Alan Fields]

Re: [Baby Bargains Book Blog] Anjani submitted a comment to RECALL: Massive Maclaren stroller recall coming this Tuesday Nov. 10.

I believe they will send out the hinge covers automatically to registered owners. If you didn’t register your stroller, however, I think you will have to contact them. I don’t think you will need a receipt, but will need to provide the stroller’s serial number, etc.

[www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000291381619]

I thought this was interesting!

[Michelle]

That is so odd! I have had by Maclaren Techno XT for 6 years and NEVER had a problem with it. Just last month in Disney world, a bus driver opened by stroller for me and crushed my son's fingertip in the hinge. I didn't report it to Maclaren, maybe I should! Get your covers, everyone - you never know when it could happen!

[Melanie I.]

Michelle, how did the crushing happen? I need my stroller this week and would just like information on how to AVOID this problem so I can still use it.

[naomi]

Wow! I remember this exact problem being an issue back in the early 80s when my parents had a Maclaren stroller for my younger brothers. There was this British TV show that investigated unsafe products, and it was their big crusade. You would have thought that 20+ years later they would have had the problem well and truly figured out!

[Molly]

What hinge part is the problem? I've been using my MacLaren for almost eight years with no problems.

[Concerned Parent]

I can find no credible source for this information on the internet. Can anyone confirm this information through a major news source?

[Dr. Ari Brown / Denise & Alan Fields]

Re: [Baby Bargains Book Blog] Concerned Parent submitted a comment to RECALL: Massive Maclaren stroller recall coming this Tuesday Nov. 10.

Hi there. You don’t see this online yet because it hasn’t been officially released. We will modify our post above to explain our source: Maclaren sent a letter to retailers last week to explain the upcoming recall. We imagine that tomorrow you will see it breaking on news sites, as we have been contacted by at least one reporter today.

[Concerned Parent]

This site appears to be the source for this information. Please cite the source. What retailers have received this letter?

[Dr. Ari Brown / Denise & Alan Fields]

Re: [Baby Bargains Book Blog] Concerned Parent submitted a comment to RECALL: Massive Maclaren stroller recall coming this Tuesday Nov. 10.

All Maclaren dealers received a letter. Some have posted this info to their blogs. An example is Goore’s of Sacramento:

http://gooresblog.blogspot.com/2009/11/product-recall-return-maclaren.html

[Concerned Parent]

Thank you. This link was very informative. It contains information that will help to inform and calm your readers. I now want to see the contents of the official press release on the 10th.

[kdmtoys]

I'm confused. How does a child's finger get pinched in a hinge if the hinge is used for opening and closing the stroller. Isn;t the child out of the stroller during such movements?

[treelabs]

one million strollers vs. 12 reported injuries. Calm down all, and let's take this in stride! Don't rush closing up the stroller, and just pay attention before closing the darn thing!

[karen]

The instruction manual for my new 09 stroller warned of possible amputation if folded near a child....

[www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1223441016]

Need to know which one!!!!!!!

[Vedant Khaitan]

My tip of my two year old daughter's finger was amputated (right hand, index finger!) in May of 2009 while using the Maclaren Volo stroller. Her finger got caught in the front hinges while the stroller was being opened. We informed Maclaren about this and although their COO for USA (Paul Cuthbertson) got in touch with me as a courtesy call, there was no follow up after that. We requested for a reimbursement for medical expenses which was nominal and never heard anything from them. Mr. Cuthbertson said: "I could probably send you US $2000-$3000 without seeking further approval but anything more than that is out of my reach!!!" RIDICULOUS!!! I am from india and was on vacation with my family in New York when this happened. Obviously I did not have medical insurance in the US and I had informed them about the same. But Mr. Cuthbertson took no heed to the fact.

[John]

What happened to personal responsibility? Just keep your child away from the stroller while it is being folded or unfolded. Sh*t happens but you cannot blame the manufacturers for everything that happens to your children.

[Joi]

We purchased a Maclaren stroller 2 years ago based on the high recommendation from Baby Bargains. Is this the first time Baby Bargains editors/publisher have heard of problems with this stroller?

[kate]

It's of course very sad for those families whose children were injured, but I agree this sounds like a very avoidable danger. I've never folded or unfolded our stroller with our son in it or near it, so I can't really visualize how this would even happen.

And I agree -- millions of strollers, twelve incidents doesn't add up to a major reason to panic.

[Confused]

I empathize with those who have had children injured by these strollers but it doesn't make sense to blame the manufacturer if a child's finger gets in the way of a stroller being opened or closed. Would we demand a car recall if a child's fingers got caught in a car door?

[Robert]

this recall is something that is being blown way out of proportion---------for one thing EVERY stroller similar to maclaren uses the same mechanism and if the child is not in the stroller when it is being opened; an injury is impossible. who puts their child in their stroller before the stroller is securely opened?

[Janet]

Open the stroller first, then put the child in and NOTHING can happen! It's the same for EVERY STROLLER!!! Don't open the stroller with the child holding on to the side or, don't open it half way and put the child in the stroller and then open it the rest of way. Common sense and nothing happens!

[Kahla]

I was just able to go to the recall page and submit my request for my Techno XT.
Do you know if this also applies to the Easy Traveller car seat frame stroller?

[Kahla]

I was just able to go to the recall page and submit my request for my Techno XT.
Do you know if this also applies to the Easy Traveller car seat frame stroller?