Bumbo Baby Seats recalled due to fall hazard

Consumer Reports News: August 15, 2012 10:08 AM

A safety recall warning for about 4 million Bumbo Baby Seats has been issued again by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The agency says babies can still maneuver out of and fall from the seats—which can be especially hazardous if the Bumbo seats are used at heights such as on a table top or kitchen counter.

When the CPSC first warned of the dangers with Bumbo Baby Seats in November, the agency was aware of at least 45 falling incidents. And despite warning labels on the front and back of the seats, the CPSC continued to receive reports of infants injured from falling, prompting today's recall notice.

Consumer Reports' experts have long advised parents from using baby seats such as the Bumbo model. (See: 13 dangerous baby products to avoid for more information.) Instead, consumers should consider using a bouncer seat or an activity center. At feeding time, the infant should be placed in a high chair. (See our tested and recommended high chair models for suggestions.)

The CPSC and our safety experts recommend that parents should stop using the Bumbo Baby Seats immediately. Bumbo International Trust of South Africa is providing consumers with a free repair kit, which includes: a restraint belt with a warning label, installation instructions, safe use instructions and a new warning sticker. However, "even with the belt, the seat should never be used on any raised surface," warns the CPSC.