Regulators Order Info on Child Safety Seat Recall from Manufacturer

In February of this year, Graco, a child safety seat manufacturer owned by Newell Rubbermaid Inc, issued the largest child safety seat recall in the last five years, spurred by a demand from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. However, the NHTSA demanded the company recall more models of car seat than the company announced.

Now, federal regulators are demanding information from Graco to determine why the company failed to recall specifically-requested infant safety seats in the child safety seat recall.

The product recall covers 11 models of car seats manufactured between 2009 and 2013. The NHTSA warned that the child safety seats had a buckle that could make it “difficult to remove the child from the restraint, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a vehicle crash, fire or other emergency.”

However, the NHTSA said that the product recall issued by Graco does not cover 7 other models of child safety seat that the agency requested.

Graco stated on their website that they did not issue a recall for those specific child safety seats because “They are uniquely designed to detach from their base for quick release if needed.”

On Thursday, March 6th, the NHTSA demanded more information from the company to prove that the child safety seats were safe for use.

Graco agreed to comply with the request. “Our car seats comply with all NHTSA’s stringent performance standards and have withstood rigorous testing that far exceeds federal requirements,” the company said in a statement. “Despite this, for any concerned parent or guardian, we will continue to offer a replacement harness buckle at no cost.”

Child Safety Seat Regulations

When you are expecting a child, purchasing a child safety seat is one of the most important decisions to consider.  There are a variety of options to choose from, and although protecting your child is foremost in your mind, he or she may not be as safe in the back seat of your vehicle as you think.

The federal government mandated an attachment system, known as LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) to be put in place after inspections found child-safety seats were frequently installed incorrectly.

A 2004 report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that belt buckles and other seat hardware could get in the way of the child seat connectors, and that the anchors could become buried in the seat and therefore be out of reach. Consistent problems with belts and buckles on child safety seats can lead to product recalls to improve safety conditions for children; however, manufacturers are consistently on the defensive regarding their products, sometimes compromising child safety for profit margins.

The Strom Law Firm Can Help With Defective Product Cases, Such As Inadequate Child Safety Seats

If you or someone you know has been injured by defective or dangerous product , such as an inadequate child safety seat, and feel that you may be owed financial compensation, we urge you to contact one of our lawyers as soon as possible. The attorneys at the Strom Law Firm offer free, confidential consultations to discuss the facts of your case.  803.252.4800.