Graco recalls 1.5 million strollers after fingertip amputations

After five children lost their fingertips when they were caught in a stroller hinge, Graco has recalled 1.5 million strollers. The company has also received reports of at least two lacerations. ( See video.)

Graco is the second company to recall its strollers because the hinge mechanisms pose an amputation hazard. In November, Maclaren recalled all models of its umbrella strollers—one million—after 12 children suffered fingertip amputations.

After the Maclaren recall, we did some research on the strollers in our test labs and discovered that other brands had hinges of a similar design. When we spoke to the Consumer Product Safety Commission about the issue, agency officials said that they were looking at other stroller brands.

Now comes the Graco recall of its Passage, Alano and Spree strollers and travel systems. (See the recall notice for the many model numbers.) Graco manufactured two different styles of hinge mechanisms for the recalled stroller models. Only strollers or travel systems with a plastic, jointed hinge mechanism that has indented canopy positioning notches (see photo) are included in this recall. The strollers were manufactured between October 2004 and February 2008. The model number and manufacture date are located on the lower inside portion of the rear frame, just above the rear wheels.

The strollers were sold at AAFES, Burlington Coat Factory, Babies 'R' Us, Toys 'R' Us, Kmart, Fred Meyer, Meijers, Navy Exchange, Sears, Target, Walmart and other retailers nationwide from October 2004 to December 2009 for between $80 and $90 for the strollers and between $150 and $200 for the travel systems.

Consumers should stop using the recalled strollers and contact Graco at (800) 345-4109 to receive a free protective cover repair kit. Parents can also visit Graco's Web site at www.gracobaby.com.