A defect that can be fatal has led to a Graco recall of baby strollers the company made from 2000 to 2007. Image from Wikimedia Commons.
A massive Graco recall of baby strollers has been prompted by several deaths reported because of a manufacturing defect. The company has received other reports of injuries to infants caused by the same defect. Graco is recalling more than 2 million units of the Quattro and MetroLite stroller units. The strollers in question were made between 2000 and 2007. Infants can get trapped between an opening in the tray of the stroller and the seat and be strangled if improperly secured.
Graco recall announced after fatalities
The Graco recall has been announced after four infants were strangled to death by the strollers. There were also five injuries reported — cases in which infants were choked but survived their injuries, according to MSNBC. A Graco stroller recall was inevitable after an investigation by the Consumer Product Safety Commission into the incidents. The CPSC announced the recall of four models of Graco strollers. All strollers are of the MetroLite and Quattro models. The Graco strollers in question were made between the year 2000 and 2007, in China. The strollers, which are combination car seat/strollers, are sold nationwide.
Repair kit from Graco
Consumers are urged to contact Graco if they own one of the affected units. The company will provide a free repair kit that will fix the problem. Parents who own the affected models can still safely use the car seat portion of the strollers. The safety of the car seat part of the item is unaffected by the defect, as the car seat itself is not affected by the problem with the gap between the seat and the tray.
Consumers urged to call Graco immediately
A full list of the model and serial numbers of recalled Graco strollers is available at Graco.com, and also on the CPSC website. Consumers who own one of the affected strollers are urged to call Graco at 1-877-828-4046.
