October
10, 2001
Safety
1st, of Canton, Mass., is voluntarily recalling about 1.5 million Fold-Up
Booster Seats, intended for children who can sit unassisted through about 4
years of age. The top half of the seat inserts can separate, and a child can
fall from the chair and be injured. Safety 1st has received 32 reports where
the seat halves separated. There were seven reports of injuries from falls
including bumps, cuts, bruises and a fractured arm.
Only
Safety 1st Fold-Up Booster Seats with model numbers 173, 173A and 173B are
included in this recall. Booster seats with model numbers 173Cand 173D, which
have four indentations on the bottom, are not included in this recall. The
model number is located on the back of the booster seat, inside the left arm
panel. The booster seat is made of blue plastic with green and red arms and
includes a yellow feeding tray. The seat insert for the booster seat is made up
of two halves that are "press-fitted" together. They have a smooth
surface bottom, with no indentations. The booster seats have a restraint system
made up of a two-piece waist strap and one crotch strap. "SAFETY 1ST"
is molded on the top and bottom of the seat insert. Major toy, hardware and
department stores nationwide sold these seats from January 1994 through August
1999 for about $18.
Consumers
should stop using these seats immediately and contact Safety 1st to receive a
free repair kit with instructions. Consumers can contact Safety 1st at (888)
579-1730 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or go to the firm's
web site at http://www.safety1st.com/booster/booster.html.