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Graco SnugRide Infant Restraint System: Seat
Pad Replacement |
TP14566
Public Notice
Child Restraint Systems
2007-P08 E |
Manufacturer: |
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Graco Children’s Products Inc.
150 Oaklands Boulevard
Exton, PA 19341
U.S.A.
Website: www.gracobaby.com |
Importer and Distributor: |
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Elfe Juvenile Products
5171 Thimens Boulevard
Saint-Laurent, QC H4R 3C6
Website: www.graco.net |
Consumer Contact: |
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Elfe Juvenile Products: 1-800-667-8184 |
Model and Model Numbers Affected: |
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Graco SnugRide – 8643CDRCA3, 8645SNY3CA,
8F00GLNCA3, 8F08PWCCA3 and 8F01FORCA3 |
Dates of Manufacture: |
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August 1, 2006 to June 30, 2007, inclusive |
Number of Units: |
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10,828 |
Geographic Distribution: |
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Across Canada |
Issue and Safety Risk:
Graco Children’s Products Inc. (“Graco”) shipped 10,828 stand-alone1 SnugRide
infant restraint systems into Canada that could present a potential choking
hazard. These restraint systems have less dense backing material for the seat
pad combined with a seat pad design that may allow children to access the fiber
fill in the seat pad itself.
This does not affect the ability of the infant restraint system to protect a
child in the case of a motor vehicle crash.
Background and Company Action:
In reviewing its U.S. consumer complaint files, Graco observed a significant
increase in 2007 of consumer complaints regarding incidents of children picking
at, removing, or putting in their mouth fiber fill from SnugRide car seat pads.
There have been no incidents reported in Canada.
Based on this increase in complaints in the U.S., Graco opened an internal
investigation. In analyzing the data, Graco has determined that the majority of
the complaints involved seats manufactured in Macedonia, Ohio, between August
1st, 2006 and June 30th, 2007. Graco has also determined that during this time
period, the type of fiber backing used in the affected seats was of a lower
density than the fiber backing traditionally used by Graco in the infant
restraint systems. Graco believes that this lower density fiber backing may be
more prone to deterioration or tearing, especially after washing.
Graco also determined that many of these complaints involved a particular
seat pad design – described as the “no-pleat design”. This seat pad is cut
differently than other SnugRide pads and does not provide the same coverage of
the infant restraint shell. Consequently, the underside of the pad is more
readily accessible to the child.
Graco believes that the combination of the no-pleat design and the less dense
backing material is the direct cause of the increase in complaints.
Graco increased the density of the backing material used in these seats
manufactured in its Macedonia, Ohio facility beginning in June 2007. Graco also
modified assembly and quality control procedures to prevent a recurrence of this
issue.
Consumer Action and Recourse:
Elfe Juvenile Products, the Canadian importer and distributor of this product,
is conducting a safety advisory program to alert consumers of the issue. They
will also provide kits that include a replacement seat pad to registered owners
of the identified models of SnugRide. Consumers who have not registered their
infant restraint system or require assistance should contact Elfe Juvenile
Products at 1-800-667-8184. Consumers should not return the affected units to a
retailer.
1
This notice does not affect SnugRide models sold as a travel system. A travel
system includes a stroller, an infant car seat, and a car seat base.
Transport Canada: |
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1-800-333-0371 |
Release Date: |
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December 14, 2007 |
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