Recall: Two WaysTM Tandem Strollers Recalled by Cosco

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 17, 1999 Release # 99-062

Company Phone Number: (800) 221-6736 CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: Nychelle Fleming, (301) 504-7063

CPSC, Cosco Announce Recall to Repair Two Ways^TM Tandem Strollers

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Cosco Inc., of Columbus, Ind., is recalling about 57,000 GeobyTM Two Ways^TM tandem strollers for in-home repair. The plastic locks on the folding mechanisms can break during use, causing the strollers to suddenly collapse. If strollers collapse, babies can suffer injuries from the fall, including head injuries from hitting concrete sidewalks. The child's arms, hands or fingers can be cut if they are on the locking mechanism when the stroller collapses.

Cosco has received about 3,000 complaints of locks failing, which includes 250 reports of strollers unexpectedly collapsing. This resulted in more than 200 injuries to babies, including head injuries, a fractured forearm, finger and arm lacerations requiring stitches, and bumps, bruises and cuts.

Cosco is offering consumers a free repair kit with instructions. The repair kit contains two secondary locking pins that will prevent the stroller from collapsing. The Cosco Geoby^TM Two Ways^TM tandem strollers being recalled are model numbers 01-644 and 01-645 (with car seat), manufactured from February 1997 through February 1998. The model number and manufacturing date are stamped on a label on the back leg frame, just above the wheel. The manufacturing date represents the week and year. Those manufactured between 0697 and 0698 are involved. The stroller is designed so that two babies can sit behind one another. The stroller's front seat reverses so children can ride face to face and the back seat reclines. Other features of the stroller include dual quilted canopies, a market basket and a utility bag. "Cosco by Geoby^TM" is written on the plastic side lock covers and "Two Ways^TM" is embroidered on the front seat's crotch support.

Mass merchandise and juvenile products stores nationwide sold these strollers for about $110 (model 01-644) and $170 (model 01-645).

Consumers should stop using the strollers immediately and call Cosco at (800) 221-6736 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. EST Monday through Friday to receive the free repair kit, or go to their web site at http://www.djgusa.com. Cosco will help consumers identify whether their strollers are involved in this recall.

Consumers can also view a video clip about this recall (Transcript). It is about 4 megabytes long and the download time depends upon the speed of your Internet connection.