7/8/1999

IMPORTANT RECALL NOTICE regarding your COSCO Arriva and Turnabout Car Seat/Carriers

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Cosco Inc. of Columbus, IN is announcing the recall of about 670,000 Arriva and Turnabout infant car seats/carriers. When used as an infant carrier, the handle locks on each side of the seat can unexpectedly release, causing the seat to flip forward. When this happens the infant can fall to the ground and suffer serious injuries. “This is a serious problem that puts infants at risk,” said CPSC Chairman Ann Brown. “The handle locks on these car seat carriers can release without warning. Even if you regularly buckle your child into the seat parents who have this car seat should call for a free repair kit immediately.” There have been 151 reports of the handle of the car seat/carrier unexpectedly releasing, resulting in 29 injuries to children. These reports include skull fractures, a broken arm, bumps to the head, black eyes, scrapes and bruises. According to some parents injuries occurred to children who were restrained in the seat. “Parents should continue using these rear-facing infant car seats, but should not use the carrying handle until a repair kit has been installed,” said NHTSA Administrator Ricardo Martinez, MD. “Safety is our highest transportation priority. A child safety seat that is installed and used correctly is the most effective safety device available for young children in automobiles.” The recall involves Arriva and Turnabout infant car seat/carrier models manufactured between March 1, 1995 and September 9, 1997. The manufacture date and model number are written on a label located on the side of the seat. The car seat/carriers have the following model numbers: Canadian Models 02-H29, 02-H33, 02-H34, 02-H50, 02-H51, 02-H58, 02-H59, 02-H60 Arriva 02-665, 02-729, 02-731, 02-732, 02-733, 02-751, 02-756, 02-757 Turnabout 02-667, 02-758, 02-759, 02-760, 02-761, 02-762, 02-763, 02-764, 02-765 If the car seat/carrier does not have the model name written on it, the unit can be identified by the model number and manufacturing date. Some car seat/carriers also were sold with strollers. Juvenile product mass merchandise and major discount stores nationwide sold the car seat/carriers beginning in March, 1995 for about $29 to $59 when sold alone, or $89 to $139 when sold with strollers. Cosco will provide a free repair kit that will make the handle stronger. The repair kit can easily be done in the home. Until a repair kit has been installed, CPSC, NHTSA and Cosco advise consumers not to carry the seat by the handle. Consumers may continue to use the product as a car seat, or in combination with strollers. The CPSC, NHTSA and Cosco remind all parents and care-givers to properly restrain their infants in the car seat/carrier at all times. Consumers can call Cosco at (800) 221-6736 between 8 am and 4:30 pm EST Monday through Friday, to receive the free repair kit. Cosco will help consumers identify whether their car seat/carrier is involved in this recall.