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Consumer product recall

Bumbo Baby Seats

Starting date:
August 15, 2012
Posting date:
August 15, 2012
Type of communication:
Consumer Product Recall
Subcategory:
Childrens' Products, Affects children, pregnant or breast feeding women
Source of recall:
Health Canada
Audience:
General Public (GP)
Identification number:
RA-14919

Affected products

Bumbo Baby Seats

Product description

The bottom of the Bumbo seat is round and flat with a diameter of about 38 centimetres (15 inches). It is constructed of a single piece of molded foam and comes in various colors. The seat has leg holes and seat back that wraps completely around the child.

On the front of the seat in raised lettering is the word "Bumbo" with the image of an elephant on top. The bottom of the seat has the following words: "Manufactured by Bumbo South Africa Material: Polyurethane World Patent No. PCT: ZA/1999/00030."

The back of the seat has several warnings, and seats manufactured since 2008 also have warnings on the front of the seat against use on raised surfaces.

Hazard identified

Infants can arch their backs and flip or maneuver out of the Bumbo seat, posing a risk of serious injuries or fall.

Since the  2007 recall to provide warnings against use on raised surfaces, Health Canada has received 5 reports of Canadian incidents related to the use of these products, with three reports resulting in minor injury.

In the United States, CPSC and Bumbo International know of at least 50 incidents after the October 2007 voluntary recall in which babies fell from a Bumbo seat while it was being used on a raised surface. Nineteen of those incidents included reports of skull fractures. CPSC and Bumbo International are aware of an additional 31 post-recall reports of infants who fell out or maneuvered out of a Bumbo seat used on the floor or at an unknown elevation, resulting in injury. Two of these incidents involved reports of skull fractures, while others reported bumps, bruises and other minor injuries.

Number sold

Approximately, 341,991 units of the recalled seats were sold in Canada.

Approximately, 4,325,710 units of the recalled seats were sold in the United States.

Time period sold

The recalled products were sold from August 2003 through August 2012 at various children's stores nationwide and online retailers.

Place of origin

Manufactured in South Africa.

Companies

Manufacturer
Bumbo International
SOUTH AFRICA
Importer
Oyaco Products Inc.
Calgary
Alberta
CANADA

Images (select thumbnail to enlarge - opens in a new window)


What you should do

Consumers should register to obtain the free retrofit kit, which includes a belt with a warning label, installation instructions, safe use instructions and a new warning sticker (see "Consumer Contact" below).

Consumers should take the following actions in conjunction with this recall:

  • Install and always use the retrofit belt.
  • Apply the new warning sticker over the existing warning on the back of the Bumbo seat.
  • Follow all usage instructions and never use the Bumbo seat on an elevated surface, even with the belt.

Videos demonstrating proper installation of the belt and proper usage of the Bumbo seat are available on YouTube or at www.bumbocanada.com.

Consumer Contact: Register for the retrofit kit by calling 1-866-477-5144 between 8AM and 5PM MT Monday through Friday or visit Bumbo Canada's website. Do not return the Bumbo seat to retailers as they will not be able to provide the repair kit.

Consumers may view the release by the US CPSC on the Commission's website.