Beware of Your Maclaren Stroller

Take a look around at all of those Maclaren Strollers on the street. Do you see the Maclaren hinge covers on most of them? Walking around the city this morning, at least half of the Maclaren strollers that I observed, did not have hinge covers. You may remember that Maclaren issued a million-stroller recall back in November offering a free hinge cover set. The company issued that voluntary recall after receiving reports of twelve children losing fingers. I know twelve cases does not sound like a lot based on the million strollers issued for recall, but is it really worth the risk? When I first learned of the November recall, I had to "bench" our Maclaren umbrella stroller, until the hinge covers arrived one week later.

Still not convinced you need that hinge cover? Well, the NY Post reported about a case a little closer to home. Sliced Finger Horror by Alex Ginsberg states that "a Brooklyn toddler's finger was sheared off by a dangerously designed hinge joint on a Maclaren stroller more than five years before the British baby-supply giant issued a massive recall, according to court papers." The little girl featured in this story was allegedly injured by a Maclaren Quest stroller - the same type I use.

If you haven't been proactive in obtaining your free hinge covers, get all of the details here. Dads, what are you waiting for?