Phil & Ted's Put the Brakes on Stroller Sales

The Fort Collins, Colorado division of Phil & Ted’s Strollers, is recalling two stroller models that have had eight incidents of brake failures between them.  While none of those incidents occurred in North America, the risk of injury from brake failure is a serious safety concern.  For this reason, the company has joined with Consumer Product Safety Product Commission (CPSC) and Health Canada to recall the two models and provide consumers with a retrofit repair kit.

Both strollers were sold online at Phil & Teds.com, PishPoshBaby.com, and Albeebaby.com. They are also sold at juvenile product specialty stores like Babies R Us.  Each stroller sold in the United States and Canada from August 2010 through June 2011 at a price that ranged between $475 and $500.

According to their website, the company has “implemented the upgrade in production some months ago, creating ‘Series 2’ Explorer and Hammerhead buggies, and are undertaking an initiative to make the new brake available to owners of Series 1 (pre-January 2011). Explorer and Hammerhead buggies, identifiable by serial numbers between 0610/0001(June 2010, unit number 1), and 0111/4788(January 2011, unit number 4788). The serial numbers are read as follows – MMYY/unit number.” Serial number info is found on a sticker located inside the left-hand hinge. 

 Here are the details on the stroller involved in the recall:

Explorer Stroller

• 7,400 sold in USA
• 1,900 sold in Canada
• Metal frame: sold as a single stroller
• Also sold with a special doubles kit to convert it into a double stroller
• 3 wheels
• Cloth seat with canopy attachment
• Colors: black green, navy blue, red/black and green/black
• Phil & Ted’s logo on crotch portion of harness
• Model EX Explorer sticker located on rear axle bar

Hammerhead Strollers

• 160 sold in the U.S. A.
• 65 sold in Canada
• Metal frame: sold as a single stroller
• Also sold with a special doubles kit to convert it into a double stroller
• 4 wheels
• Cloth seat with canopy attachment
• Color:  black
• Phil & Ted’s logo on crotch portion of harness
• HH Hammerhead sticker located on rear axle bar

U.S. and Canadian consumers can contact Phil & Ted’s by phone at (855) 652-9019 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. MT M-F, or visit their website at www.philandteds.com/support.

For Canadian Press Release, click here.

For CPSC Press Release, click here.

For Phil & Ted's website and information on the retrofit kit, click here.

Fisher Price Toy Wagon Presents Safety Hazard

If your little person is pulling along Fisher Price’s Little People® Builders’ Load ‘n Go Wagon, it may be time to head into the repair shop!  Fisher Price and CPSC have issued a recall announcement for as many as 216,000 of these red plastic wagons sold through retail stores in the USA and Canada.

The yellow plastic handle on the wagon has a reinforcement molded right into the design at the back of the handle. While this design was intended to strengthen the handle, it has become apparent that it can also create a laceration hazard if a child should fall on it. The company has received seven injury reports from consumers. Five of those incidents required stitches or surgical glue. 

The plastic wagon (shown here) is red with a yellow handle that has the name “Fisher Price” molded into the handle.  It includes colorful plastic stacking blocks and a single dog character piece. The style number affected, P9877, is molded into the side of the wagon.  The products sold from July 2009 through July 2011 for $25.

NOTE: The wagons with green handles are NOT involved in this recall.

Consumers are advised to stop using the wagon at once and contact Fisher-Price to obtain and repair kit at no charge. Fisher Price can be reached at (800) 432-5437 or on their website at www.service.mattel.com.

Find CPSC recall Press Release here.

Find Health Canada’s Press Release here.