Bumbo Baby Seat Recall Expanded Due to Additional Infant Skull Fractures

Reports of at least 21 babies suffering a skull fracture with Bumbo baby seats since 2007 has resulted in a recall for about 4 million of the small child seats. 

On Wednesday, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced the second massive Bumbo Baby Seat recall in five years, indicating that the floor seats may allow babies to maneuver or fall out, particularly when they are placed on a raised surface.

Following an initial recall issued in October 2007, dozens of reports involving new incidents have been receive. The CPSC indicates that at least 19 of the 21 new reports of skull fractures since October 2007 occurred when the seat was placed on a raised surface. In the other two cases, the elevation is unknown. In addition, even more children have suffered bruises, bumps and other minor injuries after falling out of Bumbo seats.

About 1 million Bumbo seats were recalled in October 2007 following reports of 14 skull fractures, two concussions and one broken limb. Last November the CPSC issued a warning about the seats as injury reports continued to pour in.

The Bumbo Baby Seats are a single piece of molded plastic with leg holes and a seat back that wraps around the child. The front of the seat has the word “Bumbo” in raised lettering under an image of an elephant. “Manufactured by Bumbo South Africa Material: Polyurethane World Patent No. PCT: ZA/1999/00030” is printed on the bottom of the seat and those manufactured since 2008 have warnings on the front of the seat not to use them on a raised surface.

The seats were sold at retail and children’s stores nationwide, including Babies R Us, Sears, Target, Toys R Us, USA Babies and Walmart, as well as online, for between $30 and $50 from August 2003 until August 2012.

The CPSC recommends that consumers stop using the seats immediately and order and install a free repair kit that will include a restraint belt, installation instructions, use instructions and a new warning sticker. The CPSC warns parents to always use the belt and never set the seat on a raised surface. A video on how to install the restraint belt and how to safely use the seats is available at www.BumboUSA.com. Consumers with questions or who need to order the repair kit can call (866) 898-4999 or visit the company’s website at www.recall.BumboUSA.com.