SAFETY SQUAD: Empowing Your Family

New Recaro Signo Recall: Feb-September 2008

We are receiving this information from a NHTSA Alert. It should be said that while NHTSA needs an overhaul in many of its operations, alerts like this work well. 

As of 8 a.m., there is no information on the Recaro website regarding this recall. There were two previous notifications on the Recaro site: one "Consumer Advisory" and one previos recall. It is not clear yet what action will be taken to correct this issue.

RECARO North America, Inc. is recalling certain Signo child restraint assemblies manufactured from February through September 2008. The central front adjuster strap on some seats may slip within the metal adjuster (A-Lock) that controls tightness of the harness, thereby preventing the harness from being properly tightened. If this condition existed and a vehicle crash occurred, the child would not be properly secured in their child restraint system and may sustain injury. RECARO will notify owners and replace any defective child restraint system free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during March 2009. Owners can contact RECARO customer service toll-free at 1-888-473-2290.

We are in the process of notifying all Safety Squad clients.

Safety Notice: Peg Perego Primo Viaggio 30/30 manufactured between 7/07 and 3/08

Peg Perego has issued a safety notice for Peg Perego Primo Viaggio SIP 30/30 car seats manufactured between July 2007 and March 2008.  The actual notice from the Peg Pergo site can be found here.  All Safety Squad Clients affected by the notice have been emailed.

The following is from their site.

"Peg Perego has taken this voluntary action because mold flash may exist on less than 0.25% of plastic car seat adjuster covers manufactured between July 2007 and March 2008. (Mold flash is a situation where excess plastic leaks from the mold and creates an unintended edge on the component.) Although this part passed the Sharp Edge Test as mandated under federal safety testing procedures, the mold has been redesigned to eliminate the problem on subsequent production runs.

The part in question has scratched the heels of some bare-footed infants. In the reported incidents,   professional medical attention was not required, nor were the children seriously injured.

A new, skin-safe adjuster cover has been sent to all customers whose registered Peg Perego Primo Viaggio SIP 30/30 car seats fall within the July/March manufacturing window. To ensure no one is missed, Peg Perego will send a skin-safe adjuster cover free of charge to any customer who requests one by calling Peg Perego toll-free at 1-800-671-1701.

Child safety and comfort is Peg Perego's top priority.  To ensure that it remains as such, Peg Perego is providing an Online Associate to facilitate customer interaction on the web. It is Peg Perego's goal to effectively and proactively communicate with the public through this medium."

Recall Notice: Baby Trend Rigid Latch-Loc

Baby Trend is recalling all Rigid Latch-Loc child safety seats including Magnum (model number 6439), Galaxy (Model Number 6481), Silverado (Model Number 6448) and the Model Number 6400 Base that was sold separately. The inclusive dates of production will be provided later. Incorrect steel was used on the latch connector locking pawl. As a result, the pawl can crack allowing the seat base to detach from the vehicle's latch anchors during a severe crash. A detached seat can not provide the proper protection for its occupant. Baby Trend will replace the base free of charge. Owners can contact Baby Trend toll-free at 1-800-328-7363 or
go to NHTSA ODI.

Recall Notice: Chicco Key Fit

Chicco USA has announced a recall for the Key Fit, Key Fit 30 and Key Fit Cortina Travel System. The recall is specific to bases manufactured between February 26, 2008 and March 17th 2008.

Specific details of the recalls and the actions necessary for those involved can be found at: http://chiccocarseatrecall.com

All Safety Squad Clients have been notified.

Recall Notice: Discovery Model 3021769Z & 3021854Z

This is the second recall for the Discovery model this year. This recall was reported March 28th, 2008.  If you own this car seat.  Please be aware not only of this recall, but of the February 1st, 2008 Recall to determine which applies to you. No Safety Squad clients are affected by this recall. From Evenflo Discovery Model 3021769Z & 3021854Z

Attention Evenflo Model 3021769Z and 3021854Z Car Seat Owners If you purchased an Evenflo Model "302Z" Discovery Infant Car Seat during March 11-21, 2008 at a local Wal-Mart or Target Store, please contact Evenflo immediately. Due to recent manufacturing variability, a small number of Evenflo Discovery Model 3021769Z and 3021854Z car seats may have shipped without complete assembly of the red release handle located on the back of the seat. Under certain conditions, this may cause the seat to separate from its base, possibly resulting in serious injury. The affected Discovery seats were built on February 4, 2008 with model numbers 3021769Z and 3021854Z.

Car Seat Recalls: Not all Bad

The New York Times article on the "catastrophic"' failure of the Evenflo seats and the need for better testing is welcomed attention. More regulation in this area will reduce injuries, but it shouldn't reduce recalls. The problem lies in the broad strokes that all parties paint when it comes to the word "Recall". 

Recall used to mean, at least in our minds, that a company would replace an item that had failed to operate properly. Either it failed in testing or in actual use. It seemed pretty clear that recalls were bad and if you own the product recalled, it should have been replaced.

But what we have experienced over the last few years is a movement towards education through recalls. The article states that 11 recalls occurred on 2007. This may be true...

Recall Notice: Graco ComfortSport Model Number 8C02MRC2 Manufacture Date 10/22/07

Graco® has determined that eighteen child restraint systems were sold with foam sewn in the seat pad which does not meet Graco's specification for U.S. car seats. This foam is 1.5 inches thick versus the specified 1 inch thick foam. Child restraints with 1.5 inch foam have not been tested and are not certified so, it is unclear as to what impact this foam will have on compliance to the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 213, Child Restraint Systems, and on child seat safety.

Recall Notice: Graco Treasured CarGo and Ultra CarGo

Graco® has determined that a limited number of CarGo™ child restraint systems were manufactured with the incorrect National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA”) Hotline telephone number. This telephone number appears on an information label affixed to the back of the child restraint. The correct Hotline number is 1-888-327-4236 not the 1-888-427-4236 printed on the label. The NHTSA Hotline telephone number in the owner’s manual is correct.

This issue does NOT affect the ability of the child restraint system to protect the occupant in the event of a motor vehicle crash.

Combi Recall: Centre & Shuttle

Combi USA, Inc. of Fort Mill, SC has decided to conduct a voluntary safety recall of the Centre, Centre ARB and Shuttle (Model # 8065, 8074, 8086, 8087and 8520) and associated Travel Systems containing Centre and Shuttle (Model # 4400, 4515, 4520). This recall includes the entire production of this model from October 2005 through December 2007. No other models are affected.

Read more about this recall Download Combi.pdf
All Safety Squad clients have been notified
 

Recaro Como & Signo Recall Notice

Recaro North America has issued a recall for its' Como and Signo lines manufactured before December 18th, 2007. The specifics can be found at the following link: Recaro Safety Recall Notice

We were particularly critical of the language used by Recaro in its' previous communication to customers. It should be said that the language used in this recall notice was clear and concise.

All Safety Squad clients with recalled seats are notified.