CPSC, Bikepro, Inc. Announce Recall of Baby Walkers

Note: there is a subsequent recall on this product.

WASHINGTON, D.C.- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Bikepro, Inc. of Pico Rivera, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 50,000 baby walkers.

The baby walkers can fit through a standard doorway and are not designed to stop at the edge of a step. Babies using these baby walkers could be seriously injured or killed if they fall down stairs.

Bikepro, Inc. has not received any reports of injuries involving these walkers. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury.

The recalled walkers are intended for babies age 6 months or older. The walkers are blue, green, pink and yellow. They have a musical tray, a thick foamed padded seat and some are equipped with stoppers on the side. These model numbers are recalled: 305, 308RK, 309STP, 384, 386, 388, 388STP, 389STP, 392STP, 393STP, 395 and 399STP. The model numbers are located on the outside of each box. The baby walkers bear a warning label that states in part: "WARNING: NOTE: NEVER LEAVE CHILD UNATTENDED" or "NEVER LEAVE YOUR BABY ALONE IN THIS BABY WALKER" or "USE ONLY FOR CHILDREN WHO CAN SIT UNASSISTED." The baby walkers may bear a label stating "BEBELOVE."

Independent discount stores located in Arizona, California, Colorado, Texas, Michigan, Missouri and New York sold these baby walkers from January 2000 through August 2001 for between $18 and $22.

Consumers should stop using these walkers immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a full refund. For more information, contact Bikepro, Inc. at (800) 261-2559 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday.

CPSC worked with industry to revise the voluntary standard for baby walkers to address injuries from falls down stairs. The revised standard was published in 1997. Children falling down stairs in walkers have accounted for most baby walker-related injuries. New walkers that meet the voluntary standard have special features that stop the walker at the top step. Baby walker-related injuries to children under 15 months old have declined over 60 percent from an estimated 20,100 in 1995 to 7,400 in 2000.