Health Canada Reminds Canadians to Exercise Caution When Using Strollers with Hinge Mechanisms

Starting date:

January 20, 2010

Posting date:

January 20, 2010

Type of communication:

Advisory

Subcategory:

Children's Products

Source of recall:

Health Canada

Issue:

Important Safety Information, Physical Hazard

Audience:

General Public

Identification number:

RA-110003586

• Media enquiries
• Public enquiries

Health Canada is reminding parents and caregivers to exercise caution when using strollers with hinge mechanisms found on many collapsing/folding models as they can pose a risk of injuries such as minor cuts, bruising, lacerations or even fingertip amputations. These injuries tend to occur when the stroller is not opened or closed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. To prevent injury, consumers should always use caution when opening or closing strollers and ensure that children are at a safe distance when doing so.

In Canada, strollers must be accompanied by an instruction manual that includes a warning stating that care must be taken when folding and unfolding the product to prevent finger entrapment. Some products have additional safety features, parts and retrofit kits, such as hinge covers, to help reduce the potential pinching hazard.

Since 2000, Health Canada has received 22 reports of incidents involving both children and adults. Of the 22 incidents, five have led to injuries as serious as finger amputations, lacerations or bone fractures. However, the majority of reported incidents included bruising, small cuts or no injury at all.

It is recommended that consumers find out more about what safety features are available for individual strollers and how to safely use the strollers by: verifying the product label and product instructions; visiting the manufacturer's website for information; or asking a retailer for details.

Consumers should also regularly check Health Canada's website for Consumer Product Recalls to educate themselves on recalled products. If you would like to receive updates on consumer advisories and product recalls, you may subscribe to Health Canada's Consumer Product Safety News.

For further information, or to report a consumer product complaint, consumers may contact Health Canada's Consumer Product Safety Directorate by calling toll-free, 1-866-662-0666, or by emailing cps-spc@hc-sc.gc.ca (if contacting via e-mail, please indicate the province or territory from which you are corresponding). Health Canada regularly tests children's products on the Canadian market and will continue to conduct monitoring to help keep children safe.

For additional information on strollers and carriages, please visit the Strollers and carriages web page on the Health Canada Website.

Media enquiries

Health Canada
613-957-2983

Public enquiries

613-957-2991
1-866-225-0709