Graco strollers recalled due to fingertip amputation and laceration hazards

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Graco Children's Products Inc., of Atlanta, Ga., today announced a voluntary recall of about 1.5 million Graco Passage, Alano, and Spree strollers and travel systems. Consumers should stop using recalled products.

The stroller's canopy can pose a fingertip amputation and laceration hazard to the child when the consumer is opening or closing the canopy. Graco has received seven reports of children placing their fingers in the stroller's canopy hinge mechanism while the canopy was being opened or closed, resulting in five fingertip amputations and two fingertip lacerations. The affected products were made in China.

The recall involves Graco Passage, Alano, and Spree strollers and travel systems with 64 different model numbers and two different styles of hinge mechanisms. Only strollers or travel systems with a plastic, jointed hinge mechanism that has indented canopy positioning notches (see photo) are included in this recall. (Learn more about strollers, and see our ongoing stroller Ratings, available to subscribers.)

The recalled strollers were manufactured between October 2004 and February 2008, and 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 and December 2009 for between $80 and $90 for the strollers and between $150 and $200 for the travel systems.

The model number and manufacture date are located on the lower inside portion of the rear frame, just above the rear wheels.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled strollers and contact Graco to receive a free protective cover repair kit. Contact Graco at (800) 345-4109 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. (ET), Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.gracobaby.com.

See Maclaren recall: Fingertip amputations, Stroller hinges: A closer look at the standards, and 7 common stroller mistakes for related information.