Evenflo High Chair Recall Expanded Due to Risk of Falls and Choking

After issuing a recall for nearly 100,000 high chairs in December, Evenflo announced yesterday that an additional 733,000 high chairs are being recalled due to potential defects which may cause injuries for infants or young children.

The latest recalls issued on April 2, 2009 include about 90,000 Evenflo Majestic High Chairs and 643,000 Evenflo Envision High Chairs. The prior Evenflo recall issued in December 2008 involved about 95,000 of the Majestic High Chairs.

Metal screws, fasteners and plastic caps on both sides of the defective high chairs could come loose and fall out, causing the seatback to suddenly recline. This could result in the child falling out of the seat or potentially pose a choking hazard for young children who may put the screws in their mouth.

For the Evenflo Majestic High Chair, there have been at least 145 reports of the plastic caps and screws falling out and 16 reports of the seatbacks reclining, falling back or detaching unexpectedly. For the Evenflo Envision High Chairs, there have been at least 320 reports of the seatbacks detaching or reclining and 13 reports of the recline fasteners and screws falling out.

These defect have caused at least 49 infants to suffer bumps, bruises, pinches and abrasions. In addition, several children were reportedly found with the fasteners or screws in their hands or mouth. Fortunately, they were found and removed before any chocking occurred.

The recalled high chairs were sold throughout the United States at retailers like Toys “R” Us, Babies “R” Us, Walmart.com and Burlington Coat Factory’s Baby Depot for between for between $80 and $110. The Majestic high chairs were sold between January 2007 and March 2009, and the Envision High Chairs were sold between December 2002 and April 2006.

Majestic High Chairs manufactured in 2009 are not included in the recalls.

Consumers have been advised to stop using the recalled high chairs immediately and to contact Evenflo at (800) 233-5921 for a free repair kit.