CPSC IMPROVES SAFETY STANDARDS FOR STROLLERS AND CARRIAGES

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has approved a new federal safety standard that will improve the safety of all carriages and strollers sold after September 10, 2015.

The new standard was developed due to the CPSC’s review of more than 1,300 stroller safety incidents involving children 4 years old and younger from 2008 through 2013.  Many of these incidents led to product liability cases based on stroller design and manufacturing defects and failure to warn.  The incident numbers to-date  show that defective strollers and carriages resulted in 4 child deaths, 14 hospitalizations, and 391 injuries.  The most common injury was severe pinching or amputations due to hinge design and placement.

The new safety standard requires that all strollers and carriages be made, tested and labeled to minimize the hazards seen in such incidents.  The design changes will include:

Hinges which will not pinch, cut, or amputate fingers or arms

Wheels resistant to breakage and detachment

Better parking brakes and redesigned locking mechanisms

Child-proof restraints and more secure seat belts

Structural integrity and improved stability

If you have any doubt that your child’s current stroller is safe check with the CPSC for recalled models.  Many manufacturers will repair or replace their product to protect your child.