Slalom Glider Playground Slide Poses Fall Hazard for Young Children

It has been a mild winter in many states around the nation this year.  Playgrounds that once were covered in snow during these normally frosty months are open for business.  For those schools or other public facilities that purchased the Slalom Glider slide manufactured by Landscape Structures, this recent product safety recall will particularly important.

In cooperation with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Landscape Structures is recalling about 900 of these slides because the product lacks the proper transition platform that is required at the top and sides of the slide.  Transition platform is needed to provide young children with the opportunity to switch from climbing, to sitting, to sliding actions. Developmentally, children need this space to transition betweens these different physical events. Without the platform, young children do not have the proper space to prepare for sliding.  The lack of transitional support on the Slalom Glider creates a potential fall hazard from between arched ladder and 6-foot high curved plastic chute. 

CPSC and Landscape Structures received sixteen reports of fall-related injuries to children less than 8 years old.  Injuries ranged from body bruises to fractured arms, legs and even a bruised spleen. 

The slides involved in the recall are designated with model numbers 156456 and 172627 and were sold from January 2006 and through December 2011 for about $2300 each. 

The Slalom Glider was made available in a variety of color combinations.

This product should be made inaccessible to children immediately. Customers who have not already been contacted by Landscape Structures can contact the company by phone at 888-438-6574, or via their website at www.playlsi.com.

Landscape Structures will provide instructions for roper removal of the Slalom and given the choice of receiving a full refund, credit toward a future purchase or replacing the slide with a different piece of playground equipment from the company.

Bumbleride Strollers recalled for fall hazard

In 2004, Bumbleride, Inc. was launched and a line of infant mobility products was born. Focused on ergonomic designs in strollers and on-the-go accessories for the active new family, Bumbleride has recently experienced a rather significant bump in the road.  In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, approximately 30,700 of their Indie and Indie Twin strollers are being recalled.

The company has received thirty-seven reports from consumers that the front wheel cracked or broke at the axle causing the stroller to tip over during use.  Minor injuries of the young passengers have been reported. Although these thirty-seven incidents represent only 0.1% of the strollers sold and in use, Bumbleride has worked with an independent engineering firm to increase the strength of the front wheel . The kit can be installed by customers.

The affected Bumbleride products were sold nationwide at retail and online baby stores from January 2009 through January 2012. Here’s what to look for:

• Indie Stroller Model numbers affected are I-107, I-110 and I-205
• Date of manufacture – on white sticker attached to side frame near the seat
• Sold in multiple colors

• Indie Twin Stroller Model numbers affected are IT-108, IT-111, and IT-305.
• Date of manufacture – on white sticker attached to underside of stroller handle
• Sold in multiple colors

Consumers who purchased the Indie or Indie Twin strollers with a manufacture date between January 2009 through August 2011 are asked to stop using the strollers and contact Bumbleride immediately for the retrofit kit and instructions for assembly.  They can be reached by phone at (800) 530-3930, or via email at support@bumbleride.com. Customers can also apply for the kit on line at this link.

For additional information and Health Canada alert, follow this link

IKEA’s ANTILOP style high chair safety restraint failure causes injuries

Photos from CPSC

The ANTILOP High Chairs, produced in China for IKEA North America Services, are being recalled due to the unexpected failure of the safety restraint system.  Eight reports of the buckle on the seat belt opening without warning have been filed globally. Three of those reports involved children who fell from the chair and received minor injuries.

The US$20 high chairs were sold in USA and Canada between August 2006 and through January 2010. A total of 169,000 chairs with supplier number 17389 are involved in this safety recall.

To identify the affected chairs, look for the model number on a label attached to the bottom for the chair seat.  The manufacture date and company identification are molded into the plastic seat itself (also n the bottom of the chair).  Only manufacture dates 0607 and 0911 are involved in this recall.

ANTILOP high chair – blue; Model #701.467.92

ANTILOP high chair – white; Model #501.467.93

ANTILOP high chair – red; Model #300.697.24

IKEA is offering free replacement restraint belts that can obtained by contacting the company via phone at 866-966-4532, or through their website at www.ikea-USA.com.