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Product Recall: Bumbo Babysitter Seats
Filed under: Shopping and recalls
Last month, Roger wrote about the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's investigation into the safety of Bumbo Babysitter Seats, made by Bumbo International of South Africa. Yesterday, the results of that investigation led them to a recall the product. The danger lies in placing the seat on an elevated surface, such as a table or counter top. If babies sitting in the seat arch their backs, they can tumble out of the seat and fall to the floor. CPSC has received 28 reports of young children falling out of the seats, three of which resulted in skull fractures.
The seat is round and flat and measures about 15 inches in diameter. It is made from a single piece of molded foam and comes in several colors: yellow, blue, purple, pink, aqua and lime green. When placed in the seat, the leg holes and back wrap around the child. In raised lettering on the front of the seat is the word "Bumbo" and the image of an elephant. On the bottom of the seat are the following words: "Manufactured by Bumbo South Africa Material: Polyurethane World Patent No. PCT: ZA/1999/00030." The rear of seat contains the warning: "Never use on a raised surface. Never use as a car seat or bath seat. Designed for floor level use only. Never leave your baby unattended as the seat is not designed to be totally restrictive and may not prevent release of your baby in the event of vigorous movement."
About 1 million of these seats were sold at Target, Wal-Mart, Sears, Toys R Us, Babies R Us, USA Babies and other toy and children's stores nationwide, as well as online, from August 2003 through October 2007 for about $40 each.
MSNBC is reporting that Bumbo has temporarily stopped selling the baby seat until the safety packaging can be updated. For those who already own a Bumbo seat, CPSC is reiterating the warning that the seats not be used on a table, counter top, chair, or other elevated surface. Consumers can contact Bumbo to obtain, free of charge, a new warning label that states: "WARNING – Prevent Falls; Never use on any elevated surface." Consumers should use the Bumbo seat at ground level, but should never leave a child unattended.
You can reach Bumbo International at (877) 932-8626 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or via their Web site.
The seat is round and flat and measures about 15 inches in diameter. It is made from a single piece of molded foam and comes in several colors: yellow, blue, purple, pink, aqua and lime green. When placed in the seat, the leg holes and back wrap around the child. In raised lettering on the front of the seat is the word "Bumbo" and the image of an elephant. On the bottom of the seat are the following words: "Manufactured by Bumbo South Africa Material: Polyurethane World Patent No. PCT: ZA/1999/00030." The rear of seat contains the warning: "Never use on a raised surface. Never use as a car seat or bath seat. Designed for floor level use only. Never leave your baby unattended as the seat is not designed to be totally restrictive and may not prevent release of your baby in the event of vigorous movement."
About 1 million of these seats were sold at Target, Wal-Mart, Sears, Toys R Us, Babies R Us, USA Babies and other toy and children's stores nationwide, as well as online, from August 2003 through October 2007 for about $40 each.
MSNBC is reporting that Bumbo has temporarily stopped selling the baby seat until the safety packaging can be updated. For those who already own a Bumbo seat, CPSC is reiterating the warning that the seats not be used on a table, counter top, chair, or other elevated surface. Consumers can contact Bumbo to obtain, free of charge, a new warning label that states: "WARNING – Prevent Falls; Never use on any elevated surface." Consumers should use the Bumbo seat at ground level, but should never leave a child unattended.
You can reach Bumbo International at (877) 932-8626 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or via their Web site.
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ReaderComments (Page 1 of 1)
10-26-2007 @ 8:24AM
Anji said...Seriously, if someone is stupid enough to place their child on a raised surface and/or not supervise them, they deserve to have their kids taken away, not get the damn chair recalled.
Reply
10-26-2007 @ 8:33AM
RobMonroe said...We won't give ours up. Our little one is well on her way to sitting up early in part because the chair helps her muscles know what it feels like to sit up.
I feel badly that these families have gone through this type of pain, but we learned from every book, magazine, parenting class to never never never leave a child on a raised surface without a hand on them. Even buckled in a car seat. We sit our daughter on the floor in the kitchen while we cook. She loves being able to watch us.
I don't like that they are saying "recall" when the only thing that is going to happen is that they will send you a sticker to put on the seat.
Not to sound too cold, but I see it as one of those "here's your sign" types of issues. Probably because they're just sending out little signs....
Reply
10-26-2007 @ 8:57AM
Uly said...Even with your hand on them, things can happen. That's how my little niece fell off a bench once. I had my hand on her for just that reason! But she still managed to fall.
Reply
10-26-2007 @ 9:14AM
Lori said...I wish I had a quarter for every time a commenter on this site said "they deserve to get their kids taken away." I'd be a rich woman. Everyone makes dumb mistakes as a parent -- you're lying if you don't. I don't think an official recall is particularly necessary for this seat, especially if they're just adding a warning label. But, if it helps promote education on how to properly use the product, then so be it.
Reply
10-26-2007 @ 9:38AM
CLM said...I really don't understand why this product is being recalled. There is already a very clear warning on the back of the chairs! No way am I giving my Bumbos up.
Reply
10-26-2007 @ 11:13AM
bsherm said...It is not clear from the coverage, but what is being recalled is the packaging and information sheets, not the seat. Go to the Bumbosafety.com site. No one is trying to take your bumbo, nor do they want it returned. Good thing to, love the bumbo.
Reply
10-26-2007 @ 12:08PM
WonderMom said...I think these seats are stupid in the first place. I think people are putting their babies in these seats waaaay to early. Infants are not meant to be sitting erect at 3/4 months old. It's un-natural and I don't see how this can't be damaging to little develpoing bodies.
Reply
10-26-2007 @ 2:05PM
Jessica said...It's user-error all the way. Someone who has a child young enough to fit in a bumbo ought not walk away from their child. Especially on a countertop or other raised surface.
I won't be getting rid of mine either. I absolutely love it.
Reply
10-26-2007 @ 2:07PM
Traci said...This is the BEST item I have ever purchased for my child. It is a great help with getting him to sit up and pay attention with my other child and play. He is at eye level of children playing on the ground and it is just wonderful to see him get excited at the other children. PARENTS are suppose to watch their children and not expect a seat, swing, or other baby item to babysit their children. If parents continue to be so uninvolved with the growth and learning of their children soon everything made will be recalled because all items can be harmful if used without following the safety instructions.
JUST FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS! How hard is that.
Reply
11-05-2007 @ 8:51PM
Eyal said...REDICILOUS!!!! Maybe they should recall all cars because they can kill innocent people when a stupid drunk driver may use them inappropriately... oh and bicycles...or actually they should recall any elevated surface and then they don't need to worry about this really cool bumbo...
Reply
11-15-2007 @ 11:46PM
Melissa said...I own a bumbo and used it for my two youngest children. My youngest child was much more active and wiggly. I had placed her on the kitchen floor in her bumbo while doing dishes, and she fell out on her head. She fell so quickly, it's hard to say even what happened. Maybe some of the parents were negligent in the use, but good thing the bumbo isn't being recalled, cuz I still love it, just wouldn't use it for another wiggly baby, and would only put baby in if I was sitting right next to them on floor.
Reply