---- 10/11/2009 MacLaren USA website ---- IMPORTANT NOTICE Consistent with our unwavering commitment to child safety we are providing U.S. consumers notice of a voluntary recall of all Maclaren umbrella strollers sold in the U.S. In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, we are providing free of charge to all affected consumers and retailers a kit to cover the stroller's hinge mechanism, which poses a fingertip amputation and laceration hazard to the child when the consumer is unfolding/opening the stroller. The affected models include Volo, Triumph, Quest Sport, Quest Mod, Techno XT, Techno XLR, Twin Triumph, Twin Techno and Easy Traveller. Maclaren USA's Umbrella Strollers meet all U.S. ASTM & JPMA compliance standards. These certifications guarantee our umbrella strollers meet the maximum safety standards available. The voluntary recall is to alert the operator when opening or closing the stroller of the possible risk of injury. Safety is our first priority and through this voluntary effort we urge consumers to contact us immediately to obtain the kit which consists of hinge covers designed specifically to fit all Maclaren strollers. Maclaren stresses all operators read the instruction manual prior to use which contains valuable safety tips and service recommendations. ---- ---- 10/11/2009 MacLaren UK website ---- This week, Maclaren USA announced that it is voluntarily employing corrective measure by providing American consumers and retailers with a kit to cover the elbow joint on Maclaren umbrella buggys. This fits on the side hinge mechanism which should always be kept out of the reach of children when the operator is opening or closing the umbrella buggy. This programme is aimed at Maclaren Customers and Retails in the USA only and does not apply to the UK or any other country outside the USA. If a buggy is folded or unfolded in line with out operating instructions the risk of injury is non existant. -- On November 9, 2009, Maclaren USA announced that in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, they would be implementing voluntary corrective measures by providing consumers and retailers with a kit to cover the elbow joint on Maclaren umbrella buggy’s side hinge mechanism which should be kept out of the reach of children when the operator is opening or closing the umbrella buggy. All Maclaren buggies meet – and often exceed - both EU and USA safety standards for products in our category and there have been no product defects or non-compliances. Following careful consideration of the issue and discussion with UK Trading Standards, these measures will not apply to Maclaren umbrella buggies in the UK or the rest of Europe. Please see the questions and answers below for further information. I have heard that Maclaren buggies are being recalled in the USA. Why is this? Maclaren has noticed a small increase in the number of incidents in the USA where children have trapped their finger in hinge joint of the buggy whilst their carer is folding or unfolding it so, as a precautionary measure, they have initiated a voluntary programme, which involves distributing a set of covers for the elbow joints of the buggies to consumers. Maclaren buggies are not actually being returned to stores for refund or repair. In the USA, the term ‘recall’ is used for a variety of corrective or precautionary actions and Maclaren USA and in this case it refers to the distribution of covers for the elbow joint. The elbow joint hinge mechanism of an umbrella design buggy poses a risk to the child if they inadvertently come into contact with the buggy when it is being unfolded/opened by the carer. When the buggy is fully opened and erect there is no risk of finger entrapment. Is there a similar programme planned for the UK? No, in consultation with UK Trading Standards, our analysis suggested that the number of incidents in the UK and Europe did not warrant similar action, especially as there is no product defect or non-compliance with industry standards involved. As a precaution, Maclaren is placing additional warning labels on the buggy and in the instruction manual, stressing that carers should keep children away from the buggy while it is being unfolded or folded. If covers are being distributed in the US, shouldn’t they be in the UK? Incidents of this nature in the UK are extremely rare. We have a rigorous safety and quality process and after consultation with Trading Standards it was agreed that the introduction of the covers within Europe was not necessary. If customers keep children away from the buggy while it is being folded or unfolded, there is no risk.. Similarly, when the buggy is fully opened and erect there is no risk involved. Can you send me some covers, just as a precaution? This is not necessary. There is no risk if parents or carers take the basic precautions we recommend and operate the buggy in line with our instructions. What are the basic precautions? The main instructions are to: · Keep children clear of the stroller during opening and folding. · Always use the safety harness. · Always apply the brakes when stationary. · Never leave your child unattended – even with the harness fastened. · Don’t overload the buggy. Heavy items hanging from the handles can cause it to topple over. · Don’t let children play or climb on a stroller and don’t carry a second child on a stroller designed for one child. · Negotiate curbs carefully. Wherever possible always carry a stroller down flights of stairs. Are Maclaren Buggies safe? Yes, Maclaren buggies meet – and often exceed - all of the stringent EU compliance standards for products in our category and there have been no product defects or non-compliances. Buggies are mechanical products that, like many other products, invariably have scissor or pinch points that cannot be eliminated, hence the need to be careful operating the product around children. Maclaren’s famous umbrella buggies have served as the benchmark for quality for this category and have maintained outstanding records for safety and durability for over 40 years. The classic Owen Maclaren multifold buggy design has been adopted by many brands around the world and tens of millions of buggies sold have a similar design. Do I need to do anything to my buggy? No. We would only stress that you keep children away from the buggy whilst unfolding or folding it. You should also keep the buggy clean and check that it is good working order before you use it. If you have any problems, contact Maclaren Customer Services on 01327 841 320 or contact one of our service centres (listed on our website). ---- --- My email submitted through the Maclaren website on 11/11/2009 ---- Dear Customer Service, after carefully reading through the announcement on both your USA and UK website regarding the USA recall of 9th of November 2009, I would like to point some inconsistencies to yourselves and others. If the affected stroller models meet or exceed all relevant local safety laws then it does not follow that only customers from the USA would be issued with repair kits. I doubt that the ratio of number of incidents versus number of users is significantly different in the USA from any other country where your products are sold. I can only think of the following reasons for the difference in dealing with this matter between the USA and other countries: - Maclaren is not issuing repair kits in other countries if not required by law simply to save costs while hiding behind simple statements that the instructions should always be followed. This falls in line with the current climate in the UK where the letter of the law and any loophole available will triumph over respectively the spirit of the law and common sense. - Maclaren USA will actually save money in the long run by issuing these repair kits due to the litigious culture that exists in the USA. In any case, given that Maclaren is a popular brand in the UK and elsewhere I would urge you to reconsider your response to non-USA markets and do the right thing, so that public opinion may turn in your favour after receiving a severe dent after today's announcements. As a user of two of your products I look forward to a prompt and positive response. Yours sincerely, Erik Taal ----