Various consumer groups are on edge as the Consumer Product Safety Commission continues to avoid recalling one baby product that poses a significant hazard. The product in question is the Bumbo Baby Seats, manufactured by Bumbo International of South Africa. The seats are meant to help babies sit up before they are able to do so by themselves.
The product was recalled in 2007, but the only result of the recall was an added warning label. The initial problem was that babies were sustaining head injuries from falling out of the seats. Images of the product had illustrated the seat being placed on top of surfaces like tables. However, the seat has no safety belts so there is nothing keeping the child secured in the seat. With the recall the manufacturer along with the CPSC amended warning labels to include that the seat should only be used at ground level.
Despite the added warning label, babies are still suffering injuries as the result of this product. Back in November 2011, the CPSC addressed the concerns with a warning published on their website. The report stated that they along with the manufacturer were aware that injuries were still occurring even after the initial recall. It explained that since 2003 there have been 3,850,000 of these seats sold in the U.S. If they recognize the hazard, why are they not taking action?
Photo credit: CPSC.
According to Boston.com, a letter has been issued to the CPSC calling for action. The letter comes from several consumer groups including U.S. PIRG, Consumers Union, Public Citizen, the Consumer Federation of America, and Kids in Danger.
In the letter they stated, “Because serious injuries are occurring when this product is used as intended, and since these injuries involve an alarming number of skull fractures we have grave concerns about the safety of Bumbo International’s Baby Seat. Unlike other products intended for the same age range such as bouncers and stationary activity centers, there are no safety standards or testing requirements covering this type of product. In addition, manufacturers of similar products have made design changes to address the safety concerns associated with these types of products– a step Bumbo International has refused to take to date.”
The CPSC has an obligation to protect the public from dangerous or defective products. Most times they work in conjunction with the manufacturer when it comes to issuing recalls, but in this case it does not seem like Bumbo Intl. is willing to remove their dangerous product from the market. It is then the responsibility of the CPSC to take action on their home. It is unacceptable to allow these injuries to continue.
We here at our NJ injury law firm urge the public to boycott this product. Any parents who are allowing their children to sit in this chair should discontinue use because of the blatant hazard it poses to your child. We also urge the CPSC to stop ignoring this issue and to do what they must—recall this dangerous product.
Main photo credit: The Mommyhood Memos.
