In one of the largest recalls of its kind, the baby product company Graco has recalled more than 3.7 million child car seats and is contesting a government request to recall nearly 1.8 million more, according to CNN.
What’s the danger? An issue with the harness buckle that can be difficult to unlatch or get stuck entirely. This can make it difficult or impossible to remove the child quickly in an emergency – such a scary thought.
Apparently food and dried liquids (frequent guests of baby car seats) can make the harness buckle more difficult to open over time.
Graco is offering a new and improved replacement harness buckle to affected customers at no cost. Parents can obtain one by calling 800-345-4109 or emailing consumerservices@gracobaby.com. (View the complete recall notice here.)
“This does not, in any way, affect the performance of the car seat or
the effectiveness of the buckle to restrain a child,” the company said in a statement.
the effectiveness of the buckle to restrain a child,” the company said in a statement.
However, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is encouraging parents to “consider acquiring an alternative car seat for transporting children until their Graco seat is fixed.”
Better safe than sorry!
The seats, which sold for between $99 and $400, were manufactured from 2009 to July 2013. The recalled models include the following toddler convertible car seats:
- Cozy
Cline - Comfort Sport
- Classic Ride 50
- My Ride 65
- My Ride 65 with
Safety Surround - My Ride 70
- Size4Me 70
- My Size 70
- Head Wise 70
- Smart Seat
It also includes these harnessed booster seats: Nautilus 3-in-1, Nautilus Elite and Argos.
The additional models that have not been recalled despite the government’s request are the following infant seats:
- Snugride
- Snugride 30
- Snugride 32
- Infant Safe Seat-Step 1
- Snugride 35
- Tuetonia 35
- Snugride Click Connect 40
Does your family have a Graco car seat? Have you noticed the buckle getting stuck easily?
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