Will There Be a Second Recall of the Bumbo Baby Seat?
03-08-2012
By Mike Rozembajgier
Could a second recall of the popular Bumbo baby seats be on the way? Quite possibly.
The baby seat was initially pulled from the market in 2007 to add a label warning against its use on raised surfaces due to a potential fall hazard. But now a coalition of consumer groups is calling on the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to recall the product a second time and require the manufacturer to redesign the seat to include a safety strap.
While Bumbo International claims that the baby seat poses no risks when used properly, the product has been linked to 33 skull fractures, two of which occurred while used on the floor as recommended. More alarming, 17 of the reported incidents involved infants as young as 3 months. The company argues that adding the recommended safety strap to the seat to keep kids from falling out would give parents a “false sense of security.” Nevertheless, consumer advocacy groups are demanding action.
While concerns from consumer groups about improper use of products can sometimes seem extreme or unrealistic, manufacturers need to remember that federal safety laws require them to design products with both “foreseeable use” and misuse in mind. Child safety is a top priority, and consumers expect manufacturers to take every precaution to communicate with them about the remotest safety hazards.
Because of that fact, Bumbo International must address this issue adequately or it will increase the likelihood the CPSC will receive additional reports of incidents involving children and subsequent product liability litigation. Adding a safety strap may prove to be the cheaper alternative.
Do you think the CPSC should require a second recall of the Bumbo Baby Seat? Should the company bow to consumer group pressure and add a safety strap? Would your company be able to handle consumer complaints tied to the misuse of your products? Please let us know your thoughts.
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