Madigan alerts consumers to recall of Bumbo baby seats

Attorney general urges parents, caregivers to immediately stop using baby chairs until restraints installed

[August 16, 2012]  CHICAGO -- Attorney General Lisa Madigan is alerting Illinois parents and caregivers to a recall of Bumbo baby seats. The recall was announced by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in response to growing reports of serious injuries to babies.

The CPSC announced the national voluntary recall of the seats, manufactured by Bumbo International, citing a great risk to babies if they maneuver out of or fall from the chair. The recall affects approximately 4 million individual products nationwide.

"These baby seats are popular items in households with young children, but most parents likely are unaware of the dangers these seats pose if they're placed on a tabletop or a raised surface," Madigan said. "We need to get the news of this recall out to parents quickly. They should stop using these seats immediately until they receive the safety kit and make necessary repairs."

The CPSC cited at least 50 incidents since October 2007 in which babies fell from Bumbo seats when set on an elevated surface. Of those incidents, 19 babies suffered skull fractures. The CPSC and Bumbo International are also aware of 34 additional incidents of babies falling out of the seat while it was used on a floor or placed at an unknown height.

Bumbo seats are made of foam with a backrest and leg holes for a baby to sit in. The CPSC previously recalled 1 million of the seats in 2007, requiring the manufacturer to place a warning label on the seat advising users not to place the seat on an elevated surface, such as a table or countertop. In 2011, the CPSC renewed that warning amid reports of injuries to babies when they fell out of the seats from elevated places.

Consumers should immediately stop using the Bumbo seats until they order and install a free repair kit that includes the addition of a restraining belt with a warning label, installation instructions, safe use instructions for the seat and a new warning sticker. Consumers can order the free repair kit by visiting www.recall.bumbousa.com or calling 866-898-4999.

"After joining other consumer groups in February to call on CPSC to take action, we are pleased to see that the CPSC has acted to address the hazards of this product," said Nancy Cowles, executive director of Kids In Danger, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving children's product safety. "We're hopeful that the restraints will reduce the number of injuries and the company will do all they can to ensure all parents learn of the recall and obtain the restraint fix."

Madigan has been a leader in the call for stronger regulations to increase product safety and consumer confidence. The Bumbo baby seat is one of many dangerous products and toys that Madigan is raising awareness of at this year's Illinois State Fair, currently under way in Springfield. Madigan's "House of Hazards" state fair tent warns parents, children and caregivers to the dangers of everyday items in our homes, including toys, bassinets, strollers and Bumbo seats.

Consumers seeking more information on this recall can also contact Madigan's Product Recall Hotline at 888-414-7678, TTY 800-964-3012 and 866-310-8398 for Spanish speakers, and they are encouraged to sign up at www.recalls.gov for email notification of recalls. Further, consumers can report an injury related to the use of a Bumbo seat to the CPSC by visiting SaferProducts.gov.

[Text from file received from the office of Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan]