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

[Franky]

Seems like it's more user error than a faulty product. Your child would have to have its finger in the hinge while you open or close the stroller. While I feel really bad for any child/parent this happened to, this should just serve as a reminder to always be cautious and vigilant to all of us.

[Mel]

Yes, very avoidable. Sorry to hear about these kids clipping off their fingers, but why would you open or close your stroller with your kid near it? It's the same as closing a car door, or any other folding object....and PS...every other stroller seems to have the same feature.

What is next, a recall on shoes because your kid tripped and fell?

[Kelly]

Looks like the order form is live on McClaren's site (I just did it), even though it wasn't supposed to be until tomorrow, but the site is REALLY slow. http://www.maclarenbaby.com/us/content/view/88573/98889729/lang,en/

[sarah]

the recall applies to:
volo triumph quest sport quest mod techno xt techn xlr twin triumph twin techno and easy traveller,
so yes, submit a request for your easy traveller too.

[ann]

i think its great that maclaren is on top of this issue and already produced covers that will protect our children. order your hinge covers today, i just visited the website and it is very easy!

[Jim Strickland]

Regarding the MacLaren Recall: I am a TV reporter in Atlanta working the story today. Any moms with MacLaren strollers who would be kind enough to consent to a quick interview, please e-mail strickland@wsbtv.com Metro Atlanta only, please. Thanks.

[NYCinsanity]

How nuts are you respondents who claim it is the responsibility of the consumer to avoid a design flaw which the manufacturer acknowledges. And to those of you think that it is acceptable to lop off a few children's fingers for any reason - why don't you just let your children keep their hands in the car window when you're closing it - shame on you.

Children like to mimic adults and I have seen dozens of toddlers playing Mom (or Dad) with their own strollers. Should a 3 year old bear the responsibility of reading those warning labels?

[common sense mom]

While any maiming of a child is a tragedy, this seems to be right up there with the warning on plastic bags that they're a suffocation hazard. I think it's common sense to make sure your child's fingers are away from all metal hinges when in operation. I know my daughter is all over the place and this is easier said than done, but c'mon.....watch your kid's fingers until you get your hinge covers....

honestly, this doesn't change the fact that maclaren makes a superior product over most of the junk out there.

[Bea Pope]

Janet's right - this can happen with any stroller of similar design - if you allow your children's hands to be near the hinge when it's operating! And it could potentially happen with so many other devices - not to mention car doors. It's just a question of care and common sense.

It's almost impossible to completely 'design out' these kinds of dangers. But our culture is now so litigious that companies have to put warnings like 'don't put your child in the microwave' on their products...

[R.S.S.]

Quote from (http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2009/nov/10/maclaren-pushchair-recall-british-customers):

Why are the products being recalled in the US and not the UK?

A spokeswoman for Maclaren says: "The US is considered a different market with different requirements", but would not comment further on why the two markets were being treated so differently. Maclaren's spokeswoman says the buggies "exceeded European standards, which are higher than those in the US."

I don't how to read that except as "you're stupid if you buy Maclaren in the US."

Remember, these are strollers built in China for a British company and sold in the US. Kinda makes you go: "huh?!?!!?"

I only have a one word comment to the parents: "sue!"

[R.S.S.]

That link should have been:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2009/nov/10/maclaren-pushchair-recall-british-customers

[SC]

Thank you for posting this info - yours is the first site I went to when I heard news of the recall. My son is due in January, and I am registered for a Maclaren Quest Sport. We haven't gotten it yet because we were hoping to use our completion discount to buy it (and the baby will be in our Graco set-up for the first few months anyway). Given this recall and the response, would you recommend changing which stroller we end up getting? Or do you think it will be ok going forward (esp if we don't buy the stroller until early 2010)? If you recommend changing, is there a particular model/brand you would suggest?

[Dr. Ari Brown / Denise & Alan Fields]

Joi,

Yes, this is the first weve heard of a problem with the Maclaren strollers.

Alan and Denise Fields
Authors, Baby Bargains

From:
Reply-To:
Date: Mon, 9 Nov 2009 05:45:13 -0800
To:
Subject: [Baby Bargains Book Blog] Joi submitted a comment to RECALL:
Massive Maclaren stroller recall coming this Tuesday Nov. 10.

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Maclaren stroller recall coming this Tuesday Nov. 10
² of the blog ³Baby Bargains
Book Blog ². Comment:
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?
* Commenter name: Joi
* Commenter email: jjackson0929@gmail.com

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Enjoy!

[Carla]

I have a Quest stroller from approximately 5 1/2 years ago. It is not a Quest Sport or Quest Mod which are listed on the recall website. I am wondering if my model is included in the recall???

[Dr. Ari Brown / Denise & Alan Fields]

My guess is yes, but I would call Maclaren on the recall hotline to double
check!

[sarah]

Maclaren Hinge Cover Demonstration Team
Maclaren will have teams at the following locations in the NY Metro Area for the following times to show consumers how to use the hinge covers

Albees

Thursday 4-6pm

Planet Kids

Thursday 1-4pm 4:30-7:30pm

Little Folks and Buy Buy Baby

Saturday 11-2pm 2:30- 530pm

Albees and Schneiders

Friday 1-3pm 4-6pm

Buy Buy Baby

Friday 3-6pm

[Melissa]

Will new forthcoming produced models be affected?

[HT]

While I certainly believe there is a human factor, I have to admit, when my UNREPORTED incident happened where my child's finger was "degloved," I was baffled as to why a manufacturer of baby products would not test the hinge for safety over and over and over.... I understand a child's finger gets caught in things... but this hinge literally ripped the skin off my child's finger.. It was something I could never imagined. It doesn't just "catch" the finger...it can literally snap it off.

I just saying people... until it happens to you I'd be careful about your judgement.

[Eduardo Davila]

My sister lives in Europe and apparently by some geographical factor, fingers don't get amputated over there. Basically in their response they are saying "RTFM!!!, oh and by the way, keep the kid away from the stroller." I guess they've never seen a parent juggling with one or two kids, maybe a few grocery bags and a diaper bag, and the kid shouting "I wanna open it, I wanna open it!".

There are no plans for recalls nor for any kit whatsoever.

Eduardo Dávila

Cher client,

Nous souhaitons vous rassurer sur le fait que la poussette Maclaren que vous possédez est totalement sure.

Elle répond en effet à toutes les normes de sécurité en vigueur en Europe.

Il faut simplement veiller à tenir l’enfant à distance de la poussette au moment de son pliage ou de son dépliage, pour éviter tout risque de pincement dans les mécanismes situés de chaque coté de la poussette (ce type de précaution doit d’ailleurs être pris pour tous produits de puériculture comportant des parties mobiles et donc des points de compression au moment du pliage).

Ces précautions d’usage figurent dans le manuel d’utilisation ainsi que sur les étiquettes apposées sur le produit.

Les problèmes de pincement, voir d’amputation dans des cas extrêmement rares, ne sont jamais survenus au cours de l’utilisation de la poussette (l’enfant étant assis dans la poussette) mais au cours de cette phase de pliage.

Si votre poussette est pliée ou dépliée en respectant les instructions d’usage, le risque d’accident est inexistant.

Nous vous remercions de la confiance que vous nous avez accordée et restons à votre disposition pour toute information complémentaire.

Nous vous prions d’agréer l’expression de nos sentiments respectueux.

Le service consommateur Maclaren.