Fall, Laceration Hazards Lead to Stroller Recall
When parents buy new equipment for their baby or small child, they buy it with the belief that the product has been checked out thoroughly and is safe for their child to use. However, once in a while, children’s products slip through the cracks and actually create more hazards than they should. A case in point came yesterday, when Aria Child issued a voluntary stroller recall for their gb Qbit lightweight stroller because of concerns over possible laceration and a significant fall hazard surrounding the stroller.
The concerns over the strollers come from problems with folding and unfolding the compact stroller for use. It seems that a small gap in the stroller’s folding side hinge is such that a parent or other caregiver can be severely pinched while unfolding the stroller for use, which poses a laceration hazard. That also means a small child could be hurt if playing with it while it’s folded up. More concerning is the fact that the strollers can suddenly fold unexpectedly during use, which creates significant injury and fall hazards for both caregiver and child.
The recall covers more than 30,000 gb Qbit lightweight stroller for children up to 50 pounds. The strollers affected include model number 10AW1G and they are mostly blackwith an accent color of aqua, raspberry, white, charcoal or citrus lemon. The strollers, which were sold in large baby retailers like Babies R Us and others nationwide for about $180, were sold between May 2015 and November 2016. They are equipped with four sets of two wheels, a five-point harnessed restraint system, a full-sized reclining seat, a storage basket, a removable cup holder and a travel storage bag. In addition, they can be used as infant carriers as part of The strollers can also be used as a travel system with infant carriers. The “gb” red box logo is printed on the harness and on both sides of the stroller legs. In addition, “Qbit” is printed in white on the stroller legs. The model number and date of manufacture are printed on a sticker on the rear leg of the stroller, directly above the wheels and adjacent to the storage basket.
According to the announcement by the CPSC, Aria Child ordered the recall because they have received at least 71 reports in which one of the strollers unexpectedly folded during use. Those incidents led to at least a dozen minor bumps or bruises to a child or caregiver, but in one case, an adult suffered a fractured wrist and elbow after falling. There were also at least five reports in which consumers were severely pinched by the hinge mechanism on the stroller. Four of those injured needed stitches because of the cuts.
Aria Child is asking consumers to cease using the recalled strollers immediately and to contact Aria Child for a free replacement stroller. If you have one of these strollers, you should follow the instructions of the recall and not put you or your child at risk. Manufacturers of products made for children have a duty to make their products as safe as possible. However, if you or your precious child have been injured as a result of using this or any other defective product made for children, please contact the experienced Texas Consumer Product Safety Attorney atthe Hill Law Firm as soon as possible, so that we can investigate and help you to protect your and your child’s rights under the law.