By Sage McHugh on February 11, 2010 in
The latest in an alarming series of hinge-related stroller recalls involves Britax, which announced that about 15,000 Blink umbrella strollers are being recalled over concerns that the hinges could lacerate or cut off children's fingers. The recent spate of amputation-risk-driven recalls began when Maclaren recalled more than 1 million strollers in November after a dozen children had their fingertips amputated. Last month, Graco recalled 1.5 million strollers after five fingertip amputations occurred.
This new recall affects all Britax Blink single umbrella strollers. Affected models were manufactured between May 2009 and September 2009 and have the model numbers U261813, U261814, U261815, U261816, U261817, U271813, U271817 and U271815. You can find the manufacturing date and model number on a white label affixed to the stroller frame, just below the stroller basket.
This is the latest in an alarming series of hinge-related stroller recalls, which began when Maclaren recalled more than 1 million strollers in November after a dozen children had their fingertips amputated. Last month, Graco recalled 1.5 million strollers after five fingertip amputations occurred. Although no injuries have been reported to Britax, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has been examining similar stroller hinges as a result of the original McLaren recall. In cooperation with the CPSC and Health Canada, Britax issued a voluntary recall of various Blink models on February 10.
Consumers are advised to stop using the recalled strollers and to contact Britax for free hinge covers. You can reach Britax toll-free at (888) 427-4829 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's website at http://www.blinkrecall.com.