Toddler’s death prompts new warning for a popular baby stroller

A red arrow has been placed on this image by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The Baby Trend Sit N’ Stand Double stroller, model number beginning SS76. | Courtesy U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
(CNN) — The Consumer Product Safety Commission reiterated its warning about the hazards of some popular Baby Trend-brand strollers and sharply criticized the stroller manufacturer for issuing “a clearly inaccurate statement” about the safety of its products and the agency’s position on them.
On Thursday, the CPSC and Baby Trend warned consumers about a head or neck entrapment risk on the Sit N’ Stand Double and Ultra strollers (model numbers beginning with “SS76” or “SS66”). The statement said a life-threatening injury could happen between the pivoting front canopy and the armrest or seat back.
The joint notice came after the asphyxiation death of a 14-month-old whose neck became trapped between the canopy tube and the armrest of a Baby Trend Sit N’ Stand double stroller. The toddler’s father was nearby but unable to see the armrest and canopy clearly.
A 17-month-old child was also left with neck bruises in a separate incident.
But in a statement Friday Baby Trend said the strollers are “completely safe when used as intended.” (Baby Trend also said it had joined with the CPSC “out of an abundance of caution.”)
“This tragic and exceedingly rare accident could have been altogether avoided if the young toddler had not been permitted to climb and play on the stroller, which was not being used as intended at the time,” the company’s statement read.
In response, the CPSC doubled down on its warning, which had noted that,”The space in front of and behind the strollers’ pivoting front canopy can entrap a child’s head or neck if a non-occupant child climbs on the exterior of the stroller or when a child in the front seat of the stroller is not securely restrained in the seat using all five points of the harness.”
The warning added: “Entrapment could lead to a loss of consciousness, serious injury, or death.”
The CPSC and Baby Trend warned consumers to remove and separately store the canopy when not in use, not allow children to play on the stroller, and to secure children in the strollers with the harness.
The Sit N’ Stand strollers have been sold since 2009, and Baby Trend said over a million have been sold nationwide. They’re found at Baby Trend, Amazon, Bed Bath & Beyond, Walmart, Target, Kohl’s, and buybuy BABY.
Consumers are encouraged to report incidents to the CPSC or to Baby Trend at 800-328-7363 or info@babytrend.com.
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Source: eastidahonews.com