Statement on the Recall of Bumbo Child Seats

Media Contacts
Jon Fox

CALPIRG Education Fund

                              

San Francisco, CA – Today the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recalled four million Bumbo Baby Seats. The recall, announced early this morning by the CPSC and Bumbo International follows a previous recall in 2007 and calls from us to recall the product last February.

“While the safety belts add an additional layer of protection, serious concerns remain regarding the design of this product,” said Jon Fox, Consumer Advocate at the Public Interest Research Group.

In a letter sent to the CPSC on February 7, 2012, a coalition of consumer groups expressed serious concerns about the safety record of Bumbo International’s Baby Seat and urged CPSC to conduct a recall of the product. We stated:

Because serious injuries are occurring when this product is used as intended, and since these injuries involve an alarming number of skull fractures we have grave concerns about the safety of Bumbo International’s Baby Seat.”

The product’s recent history of incidents and injuries shows that a recall was necessary. In today’s recall announcement, the CPSC stated they and Bumbo International were aware of 34 post-2007 recall reports of infants who fell or maneuvered out of a Bumbo seat used on the floor or at an unknown elevation, resulting in injury. Two of these incidents involved skull fractures, while others reported bumps, bruises and other minor injuries.

“We agree with the CPSC that consumers should stop using this product immediately, until they order and install a free repair kit,” said Jon Fox

The repair kit that consumers can order free of charge includes: a restraint belt with a warning label, installation instructions, safe use instructions and a new warning sticker. The restraint, should always be used when a child is placed in the seat.

“Even with the belt secured, the seat should never be used on any raised surface. Consumers should also immediately stop using Bumbo seat covers that interfere with the installation and use of the belt,” warned Jon Fox.

We urge Bumbo International to use every means at their disposal to alert all Bumbo owners of the recall and important fix to the product.  This recall will be effective in reducing injuries only if the millions of Bumbo seats currently in homes and child care facilities have the restraint added. 

“Too many children have been injured in these products and too many of those injuries occurred when the product was on the floor. Parents who are considering purchasing this product should ask themselves if they need a product that has already been recalled twice due to child safety concerns,” added Jon Fox.

We congratulate CPSC on their important decision today to protect our nation’s infants.

To order a repair kit, consumers can visit www.recall.BumboUSA.com or call (866) 898-4999 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Thursday and between 8 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. CT on Friday.

 

Contacts:

Jon Fox, PIRG, 415 622 0039 x309

Rachel Weintraub, CFA, 202 939 1012

Nancy Cowles, KID, 312 218 5593

David Butler, CU, 202 462 6262

Christine Hines, PC, 202 454 5135

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