On July 24, 2012, Peg Perego USA, Inc. announced the recall of thousands of strollers because of the risk of entrapment and strangulation. At least one child has reportedly died as a result of defects in the strollers.
According to a company spokesman, a 6-month-old California boy died of strangulation in 2004 and a 7-month-old New York girl nearly suffered the same fate in 2006. Company representatives stated that children can become entrapped and strangle if not properly harnessed into the strollers. Infants younger than one year old are particularly at risk.
Approximately 223,000 Peg Perego strollers, including Venezia and Pliko-P3 models are affected by the recall. The recalled strollers were manufactured between January 2004 and September 2007–before industry standards requiring larger stroller openings were implemented in January 2008. The strollers retailed for $270 to $450 and were sold at several retailers, including Babies R Us and Buy Buy Baby.
In addition to the Peg Perego recall, Kolcraft Enterprises announced a recall of 5,600 Contours Options LT double strollers because of potential falling and choking hazards. No injuries have been reported.
The front wheel assembly of the recalled Kolocraft strollers can break and result in the child falling from the stroller. Also, the nuts that hold the stroller’s basket can detach, presenting a risk of choking. Kolcraft reports receiving notification of six instances in which the front wheel assembly broke and two instances of the nuts and screws coming loose.
The recalled Kolcraft strollers were marketed at Burlington Coat Factory, Amazon, Target, infant speciality stores, and other retailers.
In June 2012, Kolcraft Enterprises recalled more than 36,000 Contours Options three and four-wheeled strollers because of fingertip amputations and lacerations. The company has been notified of at least five injuries, including three children who suffered fingertip amputations.
The recalled strollers were manufactured in China between January 2006 and November 2009, and were sold online and at numerous baby specialty stores between January 2006 and June 2010.
For more information on these and other product defects, contact the Ohio product liability attorneys at Clark, Perdue & List.
Source: CNN, “Baby strollers recalled on new evidence of strangulation risks,” Todd Sperry, July 25, 2012.