Monday, December 4, 2000

From staff and wire reports

Baby equipment-maker Cosco is recalling about 1 million highchairs for infants and toddlers after receiving 57 reports of children being injured when their seats collapsed or restraints gave way.

The Columbus, Ind.-based company has received 168 reports of incidents, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said Monday. Twelve children suffered head injuries. Others suffered swollen eyes, bloody noses and lips, bumps and bruises.

Consumers have been urged to stop using the highchairs immediately. Customers who bought the chairs can call (800) 221-6736 to get a repair kit.

The Marine Corps Exchange at Iwakuni Marine Corps Air Station is no longer selling the item but is offering refunds to customers who purchased the chairs there. There have been no reports of injuries by anyone on Iwakuni who has used the high chair, said Sgt. Michael Wiener, a base spokesman.

Tech. Sgt. Ken Mattingly, a spokesman for Army and Air Force Exchange Pacific Rim headquarters on Okinawa, said the high chair is still available there.

“We alerted store staffs earlier this week to post a message … about the recall and the information needed to order a repair kit for chairs already purchased,” Mattingly said.

The recalled model of high chair was not sold in Japan, said Thom Speedling, a spokesman for the Navy Exchange Japan District.

Seats on the recalled Options 5 High Chairs can adjust into seven positions, from upright to recline.

In the recline position, the recalled seats can separate from the frame and fall. In the upright position, the seats can slip from their set height to the lowest position or fall to the ground.

Additionally, some seats were sold with a metal restraint anchor that can slip through the back of the seat, allowing the child to fall.

Cosco has had 11 recalls since 1992 and is under investigation for not immediately reporting product hazards.

The recalled chairs have four tray positions, a vinyl seat pad and a removable footrest. “Cosco” is on the chair’s leg support bar, on the tray and on a sticker on the bottom of the seat. The restraint system consists of a waist/crotch belt and a plastic T-bar attached to the tray.

The recalled chairs have model number 03-286 and a four-digit manufacture date from Dec. 1, 1997, through Aug. 11, 2000. Both numbers are printed on the bottom of the seat. The chairs sell for $40 to $50.

People may order a free repair kit from Cosco by calling the hot line between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday, or by visiting www.coscoinc.com/services/servfram.html on the Internet.

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