Three times isn’t the charm for Bumbo baby seats. Recalled twice already in the past, the seat has come under fire by various consumer safety organizations, which want the Consumer Product Safety Commission to address it again. Designed to assist a child with sitting up, Bumbo seats are linked to 33 fall-related skull fractures – from the floor and elevated surfaces – and 45 total injuries.
The South Africa-based company has sold 4 million seats in the United States, but in 2007, the product was first recalled for fall-related injuries from raised surfaces, such as chairs and tables. Bumbo International stated, at the time, their product is intended for floor use only and should not be put in place of a highchair or booster seat. Responding to the recall of 1 million seats over 28 reported injuries, Bumbo put the following label on all products: “WARNING – Prevent Falls; Never use on any elevated surface.”
Parents, on the other hand, have overlooked the warning, and still place the seats on raised surfaces. The November 2011 recall addressed this aspect, with the company stating that parents should use the product correctly to prevent injuries. On the other hand, a bit of leeway must be present in use; a child shouldn’t experience a skull fracture because the seat is placed in an elevated location.
More recently, however, consumer groups have pointed out that skull fractures even occur when the Bumbo is placed on the ground. Simply put, a child who wiggles in the seat has potential to slip out and fall onto the floor, where he or she hits her head. Should the CPSC, in this case, go through another recall, not even six months after the last? Should Bumbo take note and, in response, design a more secure product?
Related articles
- Bumbo recall urged by consumer groups (boston.com)
- Bumbo baby seats under fire for safety issues (mnn.com)
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