Product liability news
12/11/2009

Pushchair manufacturer recalls dangerous products

A leading manufacturer of pushchairs has had to recall thousands of its products in the US after it received complaints from parents whose children had suffered personal injuries when using the chairs.

Maclaren, whose products are sold internationally, voluntarily recalled around one million of the popular Volvo and Techno models in the US after 12 children had to have their fingers amputated after they got caught in the hinges.

According to Maclaren, the accidents occurred when the pushchairs were being folded or opened by an adult – they did not occur when the child was sitting in the pushchair.

The company is offering American consumers a free kit consisting of a zipped fabric cover for the hinge to prevent injury.

Although the same models are sold in the UK, Maclaren told consumer group Which? that there were no plans to offer the same kit to British consumers.

A spokeswoman from Maclaren said, "Maclaren has taken the corrective action of placing additional warning labels on the buggy and in the instruction manual, stressing that carers should keep children clear of the buggy while it is being unfolded or folded."

The spokeswoman also stressed that the product liability claims received in America are of no concern in the UK as the pushchairs conform to different trading standards in Europe.