Automatic Notification on Recalls:: 03-24-08

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters Launches New Service to Automatically E-mail, Instant Message Safety Recall Information Consumers Now Able to Sign Up for Safety Seat and Tire Recall Information Consumers will be able to get important safety updates about child seats and tire recalls automatically e-mailed or sent to their PDA devices as part of a new federal government notification service, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters announced today. “Signing up for this service is one of the easiest things you can do to help protect yourself and the lives of your children,” said Secretary Peters. “We can’t afford to let safety get lost in the mail.” The Secretary noted that the new system focuses on safety seat and tire recall information because fewer consumers have historically responded to these important safety updates. For example, less than one-third of affected consumers respond to the tire recalls, while less than half of affected consumers respond to child seat recalls. “When a product is defective, we want to do everything to get those unsafe products off the market,” said National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Deputy Administrator James F. Ports, Jr. Ports urged consumers to visit http://www.safercar.gov/ and click on the “E-mail” or “RSS” option to register for the new notification service. However, he also reminded consumers that they should continue to register their safety seats and tires with manufacturers, even if they sign up for the new notification service. Ports explained that registering child seats and tires helps manufacturers contact purchasers about recalls in a timely fashion and allows them to provide additional details and instructions about the recalls. Ports added that the Department has even added a feature to its “safecar.gov” website to make it easier for consumers to register safety seats directly with manufacturers. Consumers should click on the “Register your child restraint online” link and take advantage of this service.

Graco:: 03-14-08

Graco® Children's Products Inc. today announced a Safety Notice regarding a labeling non-compliance issue for a limited number of its CarGo® Booster Car Seats manufactured from January 9, 2007 through March 3, 2008. The labeling non-compliance issue notice is the result of an incorrect NHTSA vehicle safety hotline number that appears on models of the following CarGo™ Booster Car Seats: 8487BELI, 8487SMP, 8487WBR, 8686ROS, 8689FAR, 8D01ZPH, 8D02SYC, 8D03WIK, 8D04SDN, 8D05NWY, and 8D10CCE. The model number and date of manufacture can be found on the lower back of the car seat. These seats were sold in mass merchandisers, specialty retailers and department stores throughout the United States. If a consumer calls the incorrect phone number printed on the affected models, they will hear a message that the number is not in service at this time. We recommend consumers check their instruction manual as the NHTSA hotline number is printed correctly there. The correct NHTSA vehicle safety hotline phone number is 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), and their Web site can be accessed at www.nhtsa.gov. Consumers can also contact Graco® by calling 1-800-345-4109 or by visiting www.gracobaby.com for further information. To remedy the affected product, a correct sticker kit is being provided to consumers who have registered their car seat with Graco®. Consumers who own but have not registered their CarGo™ Booster Car Seat should call 1-800-345-4109 Monday–Friday between 8 am and 5 pm EST or visit www.gracobaby.com 24 hours a day to determine whether their CarGo™ Booster Car Seat may be affected by this announcement. When calling Graco®, consumers should have the model number and date of manufacture of the car seat readily available.

Combi Centre and Shuttle:: 03-04-08

Combi USA, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Transport Canada recently conducted numerous laboratory tests (in many cases these tests exceeded the requirements of the current US standard) to analyze the overall effectiveness of the Centre and Shuttle car seats in motor vehicle frontal crashes. This test data revealed that the car seat could potentially become separated from its base under these conditions. We urge you to contact us to obtain the free retrofit kit. To place an order, please visit our website at www.combi-intl.com, or call Combi Consumer Relations Department at 1 800 543 7734 Monday through Thursday between 8AM and 5PM EST, Friday between 8AM and 3PM. If you have passed your Centre and/or Shuttle Infant Restraint along to a friend or neighbor, please share this information with them. You will not incur any shipping costs and your order will arrive within 6-8 weeks. In the meantime, Combi recommends that consumers use the Combi Centre and Shuttle without the base until the retrofit kit is installed. Please refer to your instruction manual for proper installation without the base. These seats are designed for and safe to use without the base.

Britax Child Safety, Inc:: 02-06-08

Contact Britax Customer Service at 1-888-427-4829. Companion, All model numbers Produced prior to 11/1/07 Not a recall. Consumers who own a Companion child restraint and have registered their restraint will be sent an updated user guide and product labels to provide further clarification on product usage. Those consumers that have not registered their child restraint should contact Britax Consumer Service.

Dorel Juvenile Group:: 02-06-08

Contact Dorel Customer Service at 866-611-3022 or 800-544-1108 Cosco Touriva, Model numbers 22100x, 22111x, 22130x, 93100x, 93111x Regal Ride, Model number 22139MON Produced 9/28/04 through 09/20/07 Elastic straps on padding can come loose and become accessible to the child allowing the child to loop the elastic strap around portions of his/her body. Contact Dorel for a repair kit.

Evenflo:: 02-06-08

Contact Evenflo Customer Service at 800-525-2472 / 800-233-5921 Discovery, Model numbers 390, 391, 534, 552 Produced prior to 02/01/08 Testing showed that the car seat could potentially become separated from its base in high impact side collisions. Contact Evenflo for a free supplemental dual-hook fastener for enhanced safety performance.

Graco:: 02-06-08

Contact Graco Customer Service at 800-345-4109 Snugride, 8609FOF2, 8609FOF3, 8616FOF2, 8616FOF3, 8643DDH2, 8643DDH3, 8643CDR2, 8643DH03, 8643SUP2, 8643SUP3, 8643JOS2, 8643JOS3, 8643MDW3, 8643PWC3, 8643SFJ3, 8645FMT2, 8645FMT3, 8645GLM3, 8645GLN3, 8645HEM2, 8645HEM3, 8645MYC2, 8646SML3, 8645MYC3, 8645MRG3, 8645PKR2, 8645SNY2, 8646SND2, 8645THR2, 8645THR3, 8646FIE2, 8646FIE3, 8646GRT3 and 8646RRY3 Produced 08/01/06 through 06/30/07 The backing of the seat pad may pull away from the seams in an area reachable to the child occupant, exposing the pad filling and posing a potential choking hazard. Contact Graco for a repair kit.

Mia Moda:: 02-06-08

Contact Mia Moda Customer Service at 866-642-6632 Viva, Model numbers 5000, 5001 Produced from 12/19/06 through 02/06/07 The lower anchor connector adjuster assembly may interfere with the connection of the infant carrier to the restraint base when installed using LATCH. Installation with seat belt is not affected. In addition, registration cards were not provided with the Viva or separately sold bases. Contact company for a repair kit and to register CR.

Recaro:: 02-06-08

Contact Recaro at 800-873-2276 Como, Model number 331.00.xxx Produced prior to 9/17/07 Lap and shoulder belt guide (previously referred to as "lock-off") may not hold belt webbing snugly enough to prevent belt from loosening. Contact Recaro for locking clip and instructions.

Rear-Facing Car Seats Save Lives:: 12-10-07
Judith Tatly
INDIANAPOLIS – Groundbreaking research can improve the safety of young children in vehicles. According to an article published in the December issue of Injury Prevention, during the second year of life children are five times less likely to die or sustain serious injuries when they ride in rear-facing car seats compared to forward-facing car seats. This research applies to all types of crashes including side impact which are typically the most severe. Dr. Marilyn Bull, medical director and founder of the Automotive Safety Program and Kohl's Center for Safe Transportation of Children at Riley Hospital for Children, co-authored the article in the prestigious medical journal. “This is the most exciting and significant research to emerge regarding car seat safety in recent years,” Dr. Bull said. “It is essential that we communicate this message to all families to ensure our children are riding as safely as possible.” Preliminary results from a statewide survey conducted in Indiana in 2007 revealed that 85 percent of infants under age one are riding rear-facing in car seats, but only seven percent of children in the second year of life are placed in their car safety seats facing the rear. Previously, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) had recommended that infants ride rear-facing in car seats until they are at least one-year-old and 20 pounds before being turned forward-facing in their car seats. This research will undoubtedly change that official recommendation. “Armed with the information we now have, it is imperative for parents to keep their children rear-facing in car seats longer,” Dr. Bull said. “Children are much better protected in rear-facing car seats. Many models of car seats allow children to ride rear-facing from 30 to 35 pounds.” When infants approach 18 pounds or their head is within an inch of the top of their infant only car seat (between 4 and 10 months of age for most children), parents should make plans to transfer the child to a rear-facing convertible car safety seat. Andretti, Kohl’s pledge promote Riley’s automotive safety efforts Riding in rear-facing car seats and other car safety messages will be featured in a public service campaign funded by Kohl’s Department Stores. For 11 years, NASCAR and Indy Racing League driver John Andretti, a strong advocate for car seat safety, has dedicated his time to Riley Hospital for Children through his annual Race for Riley go-kart event. Andretti will serve as the spokesperson for this campaign which will air in central Indiana. Kohl’s Department Stores has committed $314,790 in 2008 to the public service campaign and other public service programs at Kohl’s Center for Safe Transportation of Children at Riley Hospital for Children. More information Parents can find out more information about their car safety seat by carefully reading the instruction manual, which comes with the seat; by calling 1-800-KID-N-CAR; or visiting www.preventinjury.org/fittingstation.asp for a list of car safety seat inspection stations all across Indiana. About the Riley Children’s Foundation Riley Children’s Foundation supports Riley Hospital for Children, Camp Riley for Youth with Physical Disabilities and the James Whitcomb Riley Museum Home. As Indiana’s only comprehensive hospital dedicated exclusively to the care of children, Riley Hospital has provided compassionate care, support and comfort to children and their families since 1924. More than 192,000 families turn to Riley for care each year. Children come from all 92 Indiana counties, across the nation and throughout the world. Riley Hospital’s partnership with Clarian Health and its strong affiliation with the Indiana University School of Medicine make Riley Hospital for Children the leader in pediatric care in the state and the region. RileyKids.org # # #

Britax Child Safety, Inc.:: 05-30-07
Britax Consumer Services Department at 1-888-4BRITAX
Britax Child Safety, Inc. is conducting a recall of the Boulevard child restraints (model # E9L57). The recall includes restraints produced from March 1, 2006 through August 1, 2006. During testing, the tether hook opened which fails to conform to the dynamic performance and child restraint system integrity requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 213, "Child Restraint Systems." If the top tether hook opens during a crash, then the restraint could change from an upright to a reclined position increasing the risk of injury to the child. Owners who have not filed a registration form should contact Britax Consumer Services Department at 1-888-4BRITAX

Britax Child Safety, Inc.:: 05-30-07
Britax Consumer Services Department 1-888-4BRITAX
Britax Child Safety, Inc. is conducting a recall of the Regent Classic child restraint (model # E9L3998) produced from December 18, 2006 through January 18, 2007. These seats were produced with an incorrect label sewn to the fabric cover which fails to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 213, "Child Restraints Systems." Owners that have filed a registration card with Britax will automatically receive a replacement cover. Owners who have not filed a registration form should contact Britax Consumer Services Department at 1-888-4BRITAX or via email at regentcoverreplacement@britaxusa.com.

Compass:: 05-30-07
Compass Customer Service, 888-899-2229
Compass Baby is announcing a Safety Advisory of the Compass I420 Infant Car Seats with manufacture dates of May 7, 2006 through May 16, 2006. The affected model numbers are: I420 ARD, I420 FUO and I420 MAR. During its rigorous on-going testing, Compass discovered a technical non-compliance. A metal slide can become disengaged from the shell if it is not properly seated ultimately causing a slight crack in the shell during testing. There have been no reports of injuries and no calls from consumers regarding problems. Please call Compass at 888-899-2229 or visit their web site: www.compassbaby.com . Compass will send registered consumers and those who contact them a free repair kit with instructions on how to correct this problem.

Dorel Juvenile Group USA:: 05-30-07
Customer Service, 877-229-1374
Dorel Juvenile Group USA is conducting a voluntary safety recall campaign; involving Alpha Elite and Eddie Bauer brand Comfort Infant Car Seats. Some consumers have reported complaints that the handle trim screws on the recalled car seats can loosen, resulting in loose screws that could potentially present a choking hazard to the child. There have been no injuries reported. The seats were manufactured between July 26, 2005 and February 28, 2006 involve the following models: Alpha Elite Comfort Infant Car Seat: 22331 BLA, 22332 RLA Eddie Bauer Comfort Infant Car Seat: 22631 LNG, 22630 AFD, 22630 BAL, 22630 FTM, 22630 HPN, 22630 LRS, 22630 LKM. The 22630 models are part of the 01726 Eddie Bauer Integrated Travel System. Dorel Juvenile Group USA will notify all registered owners. Those who have not registered their product should complete the online customer satisfaction program registration process at djgusa.com, safety1st.com or djgusa.com/eddiebauer. Consumers may also email the company at comfortinfant@djgusa.com or call 877-229-1374. Parents are advised to make sure the handle trim screws have not loosened. Parents should continue to use the existing seat while waiting to receive and install the repair kit. The handle trim screws do not affect the performance of the car seat in the vehicle.

Questions About Recalls?:: 05-30-07

Consumers with questions about these or any other safety recall campaign should call NHTSA's toll-free Auto Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236, or check NHTSA's website, www.safercar.gov. http://www.safercar.gov.