May 10, 2007 5:18 pm US/Eastern
450,000 Infant Car Seats Recalled
VANDALIA, Ohio (CBS) ―
Evenflo Company Inc. announced Thursday a recall of about 450,000 infant car seats after reports that the handle of the seat can unexpectedly release when it's used as an infant carrier.
Evenflo, which operates out of Vandalia, Ohio, made the announcement in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
To date, the company had received nearly 700 reports that the handle of the car seat released on its own, causing 160 injuries to children. The injuries included a skull fracture, two concussions, cuts, scrapes and bruises.
The recall involves Evenflo Embrace Infant Car Seat/Carriers made before April 8, 2006. The recalled car seat/carriers have model numbers beginning with
317, 320, 397, 398, 540, 548, 549, 550, 556, 597, 598 or 599. The model number and production date information can be found on a white label on the bottom of the carrier and on the top of the convenience base. Models beginning with "5" are units sold with the travel system (compatible stroller). "Evenflo" is on the carrying handle and car seat base. EmbraceTM infant car seat/carriers made on or after April 8, 2006 are not included in this recall.
The car seats can be found in department stores and child product stores nationwide, and were likely sold between December of 2004 and September of 2006 for between $70 and $100 when sold alone and between $140 and $200 when sold with a compatible stroller.
Evenflo is asking consumers to refrain from using the handle on the seat until repairs have been made.
For additional information, contact Evenflo at (800) 490-7497 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. EDT Monday through Friday or visit the recall Web site
by clicking here.
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