Repair kits offered in recall of strollers

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Century Products Co. of Macedonia, Ohio, is voluntarily recalling about 650,000 Take 2, Travel Solutions, Pioneer, Travelite, and Pro Sport 4-in-1 strollers. The strollers can unexpectedly collapse or the car seat-carrier adapter can unexpectedly detach. When this happens, an infant or young child inside the stroller or an attached car seat-carrier can fall to the ground and suffer serious injuries.

Century has received 681 reports of incidents, including 250 injuries when the stroller unexpectedly collapsed or the car seat-carrier adapter detached. These reports include three concussions, two skull fractures, one fractured elbow, and two chipped teeth. The remaining injuries include bruises and cuts.

The recalled strollers are for toddlers when used alone and for infants when a car seat or carrier is connected to the stroller. The model names for the recalled strollers can be found on the footrest, the seat pad, the legs of the frame or on a white label on the side locks.

Mass merchandise, juvenile products and discount department stores nationwide sold these strollers from December 1996 through March 2001 for between $100 and $200.

Consumers should stop using these strollers and call Century at (800) 766-9998 anytime to order a free repair kit. Consumers should have their strollers available, as Century will help consumers determine if they have one of the recalled models. Consumers also can log on to the company’s Web site at www.centuryproducts.com or write to Consumer Affairs, Century Products, Box 100, Elverson, Pa., 19520.

Parents may continue to use these carriers as car seats. CPSC and Century remind caregivers to always restrain infants according to the instructions when in the car seat or carrier.

Also in cooperation with CPSC, KB Toys of Columbus, Ohio, is recalling about 500 “Bubble Beauties” floating balls. The balls contain a petroleum distillate, similar to kerosene, that could be harmful or fatal if ingested.

CPSC and KB Toys are not aware of any injuries involving the floating balls. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury.

Bubble Beauties floating balls are clear, 2-inch-wide plastic balls containing another clear plastic ball that holds a small, plastic doll. The dolls have pink, blue, purple or yellow hair. The liquid around the inner ball contains glitter. Writing on the floating balls includes: “Bubble Beauties #2801…NOT A THROWING TOY… MADE IN CHINA.”

KB Toy Stores nationwide sold these floating balls in May 1998 for about $3 to $4.

Consumers should immediately take these floating balls away from children, and return them to the store where purchased for a refund. For more information, consumers should call KB Toys at (800) 877-1253 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. EDT Monday through Friday. This is the fourth recall of a children’s product since April 1998 that contains petroleum distillates.

CPSC has issued guidance to manufacturers, importers, distributors and retailers of liquid-filled consumer products recommending that they not make, sell or distribute products containing harmful liquids to which children could gain access.

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