The Canadian Press and The Associated Press
More than 4.6 million Bumbo Baby Seats are being recalled in North America, including about 342,000 in Canada, after reports of infant skull fractures.
Health Canada says babies can arch their backs and flip or manoeuvre out of the Bumbo floor seat, posing a risk of serious injuries or fall.
About one million of the moulded foam seats were recalled in October 2007 for additional warning labels against placing the Bumbo seats on raised surfaces, such as tables or kitchen counters.
Health Canada says since that recall it has received five reports of incidents related to the seats, three of them resulting in minor injury.
In the U.S., the Consumer Product Safety Commission and Bumbo International of South Africa have learned of at least 50 incidents in which babies fell from Bumbo seats while they were being used on raised surfaces.
CPSC says another 34 babies fell from the seats while they were being used on the floor or at an unknown elevation. In all, there were 21 reports of skull fractures to infants.
Canadian consumers are asked to stop using the seats and contact Bumbo for a free repair kit that includes a restraint belt and instructions on how to safely use the seat.
The repair kit can be ordered by visiting www.bumbocanada.com. or calling 1-866-477-5144.
In a statement, the company said it was adding a restraint belt to enhance the safety of children using the Bumbo seat.
“The restraint belt will help prevent children from getting out of or falling from the seat when it is used as intended: on the floor with adult supervision and never on raised surfaces,” said the statement. “The health and safety of children using the Bumbo Baby Seat are our top priorities.”
Health Canada says the recalled Bumbo floor seats were sold from August 2003 through August 2012 at various children’s stores nationwide and online retailers.
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