US safety regulator recalls 4 million Bumbo baby seats

The US safety regulator has recalled more than 4 million Bumbo baby seats of South Africa's Bumbo International after 84 reported incidents of babies falling from the seats, including more than 20 babies suffering from skull-fracture.

The recall comes after around 1 million of Bumbo's moulded foam seats were recalled in 2007to add additional warning labels requiring the seats to be placed on raised surfaces, such as tables or kitchen counters.

But in February, consumer groups said the regulator's warning to parents to not use Bumbo seats on raised surfaces as these were ineffective and urged the agency to pull the product from the market on safety concerns.

Post the 2007 recall, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (UPSC) said that there were at least 50 incidents of infants falling from Bumbo seats even though they were kept on raised surfaces, while 34 babies fell from the seats when the seats were used on the floor.

UPSC said that there were 21 reports of skull fractures to babies.

The product originally called the Bumbo Baby Sitter, priced between $30 and $50 each, were sold online and at stores including at Walmart, Toys R Us, Target and other retailers in the US from August 2003 through August 2012.           

The colourful Bumbo plastic seats with foam and a dip in the middle help infants to sit up before they are able to do so on their own, but the risk of babies falling backwards and injuring their heads have increased.

Executive director of advocacy group Kids in Danger, Nancy Cowles, said that there is no need of the seats at all and it would be better if the product is banned since it is neither an infant carrier nor a walker, and does not come any federal or industry standards law.

The UPSC has the authority to recall a product if it poses a hazard to users.

Bumbo International is now offering safety harnesses approved by UPSC for the 4 million seats it has sold in order to strap the infant into the seat.

UPSC said that it has analysed the kits, and the safety regulator's spokesperson Scott Wolfson said, "We believe the straps and the harness will position the babies and toddlers in the centre of the seat, which will improve the stability."

The UPSC said in a statement, ''Consumers should immediately stop using the product until they order and install a free repair kit, which includes - a restraint belt with a warning label, installation instructions, safe use instructions and a new warning sticker. The belt should always be used when a child is placed in the seat. Even with the belt, the seat should never be used on any raised surface. Consumers should also immediately stop using Bumbo seat covers that interfere with the installation and use of the belt.''

Bumbo said that the safety of children is the company's top priority. "Children, especially infants who are learning to move around, can squirm out of seats. The restraint belt will help prevent children from getting out of or falling from the seat when it is used as intended: on the floor with adult supervision and never on raised surfaces."