Personal Injury Law

447,000 Dorel Infant Seat Carriers Recalled

By Jane Akre

Consumers Should Stop Using

At least three infants have been injured by the Dorel baby carrier, now in the midst of a government recall of 447,000 of the infant car seat/carriers.

In a joint federal agency recall, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a statement saying that they have received 77 reports of the handle of the child seat falling off or partially falling off.

The manufacturer, Dorel Juvenile Group Inc., of Columbus, Indiana, is working in cooperation with the government to remove the product from shelves nationwide.

'The problem with the unit is the carrying handle,' said Rick Leckner, a Dorel spokesman. 'There's a bolt on either side and one can come loose. If the child is not harnessed in, the child can fall out.'

In one case, a child did fall out and received a head injury.

The car seat actually has a dual purpose, to be used not only as a car seat but as a stroller when additional equipment called Travel Systems, is purchased to convert it.

The manufacturer stresses that the only problem is with the handle, it still functions as intended as a car seat.

The brand names include Safety 1^st, Cosco, Eddie Bauer and Disney brand infantcar seat and carrier. They were sold nationwide and made from January 6, 2008 through April 6, 2009. The seats cost between $120 and $220, reports CNN, and were made in China.

Dorel was the subject of another infant seat recall last July because the infant carrier did not adequately secure to the base.

Four years ago, the Dorel had a recall for a different problem. The rear-facing infant child safety seats would loosen after the child was buckled in.

Consumers can find the date of manufacturer on a label on the side of the seat/carrier. Consumers should not use the handle of the seat/carrier until a repair kit has been installed. Dorel Juvenile Group will provide a free repair kit.

As is the case with many recalled products, many continue to exist on the resale market, so be sure to check the CPSC recall list before purchasing a second hand child item.

The following is a complete list of recalled items:

#

Full post as published by InjuryBoard on December 21, 2009 (boomark / email).