Feds announce largest recall of baby strollers

From Julie Vallese
CNN Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a series of mass recalls of children's products on Thursday morning, including the largest ever recall of baby strollers.

Five models of Century-brand strollers have a potential defect that may cause them to unexpectedly collapse while in use, the CPSC reported. The recall involves some 650,000 strollers sold at juvenile products and discount stores between December 1996 and March 2001.

Century received 681 reports of problems with its strollers, including 250 reports of injuries.

The commission also issued a voluntary recall of about 115,000 Electronic Light N' Learn activity gyms. The gyms, produced by KB Toys of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, pose a potential choking hazard to children, the CPSC said.

The CPSC and KB Toys have received six reports of defects, two of children choking, but none of injuries from the activity gyms.

Sudden collapse

The Century stroller injuries include three concussions, two skull fractures, one fractured elbow and two chipped teeth. The company, based in Macedonia, Ohio, also received reports of bumps and bruises.

When used as a basic stroller, the apparatus can close up or collapse, sending a child tumbling to the ground, the CPSC said. When the car seat carrier is connected to the stroller, it can detach from the frame and fall.

"When you get children with skull fractures and concussions, you've got serious injuries," said CPSC Chairman Ann Brown. "We're lucky no child died, they didn't get hit the wrong way. But we got them off the market and we now have to get them out of people's homes."

The recall includes five models sold by Century in the past five years for anywhere from $100 to $200. They are the "Take 2," "Travel Solutions," "Pioneer," "Travelite" and "Pro Sport" 4-in-1 stroller. The model names can be found on the footrest, seat pad, legs of the frame or on a white label on the side locks.

Century and the CPSC said consumers should stop using the strollers immediately.

Multi-use products problematic

The defect lies in the stroller itself. Parents and caregivers can still use the baby-carrier attachment and use it safely as a car seat, the CPSC said.

"We have seen problems with these multi-use products and we are on top of that because they may be rushed to the market, or aren't tested well enough," Brown said.

There have been three other recalls of strollers with a similar tendency to collapse.

In 1999, the CPSC recalled 57,000 Cosco Two Ways Tandem strollers because the plastic locks on it would break. In 1986, Hedstrom voluntarily recalled its "Li'l Steeler Strollers" because the stroller would collapse and children's fingers could get caught in the hinge area.

Activity gym hazards

The Electronic Light N' Learn activity gym recall affects Model 8735 of the toy. The models were sold, at about $30 each, between September 2000 and January 2001 at KB stores, Big Lots, Odd Lots, Pic 'n Save and MacFrugals.

The gyms feature five detachable hanging rattle toys in the shape of a bear, snail, star, half-moon and horse. Small round pegs at the top of the rattles can break off, posing a choking hazard to young children, the CPSC said.

Consumers are being advised to stop using the activity gym immediately.