4 deaths prompt Graco stroller recall

[October 20, 2010]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- Baby gear maker Graco is recalling about 2 million strollers after receiving reports that four infants died in the strollers.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission, which announced the recall Wednesday, said the four infants became trapped inside the strollers and were strangled. The deaths occurred between 2003 and 2005.

The strollers being recalled are older versions of the Graco Quattro Tour and MetroLite strollers and travel systems, all made before 2007 and distributed by Graco Children's Products Inc. of Atlanta.

CPSC says if babies aren't strapped into the strollers properly, they can slide through the opening between the stroller tray and bottom of the seat -- where they can get stuck and be strangled. The commission also said it was aware of five reports of infants becoming trapped, resulting in cuts and bruises, and one report of an infant having difficulty breathing.

The recalled strollers were made before the development in 2008 of a voluntary standard that requires a larger stroller opening between the stroller's tray and seat bottom in order to prevent entrapment and strangulation.

The recalled strollers were sold at retailers nationwide between November 2000 and December 2007.

More information on the model numbers involved in the recall can be found at the company's website, http://www.gracobaby.com/.

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.