Another Car Seat Manufacturer Issues Safety Recall

Once again, we get news of a car seat recall. This time, though, there are 19 models affected under various brand names, all made by Dorel Juvenile Group. The car seats were made between November 2003 and December 2005 and include the brands Cosco, Safety 1st, and Eddie Bauer. There’s a potential for the harness strap to loosen, and Dorel is offering a free repair kit.

We don’t want to worry about our children’s safety in the car, especially when we put our trust in mandatory safety equipment. Should we demand that safety seat manufacturers be fined each time there’s a flaw? And if so, will that encourage them to enlist stricter quality controls or to try and hide flaws a little better? We would hope they care as much about our children as we do. Sadly, that’s rarely the case in big business. It’s all about the bottom line. Some companies are just as concerned about quality as they are profits -- but I fear they are few and far between.

I’m not saying Dorel is that type of company. They recalled these seats because of a potential problem that could injure a child. Their press release states that there were no reported injuries. However, the Chicago Tribune points out that a child was injured in a January 2005 crash while in one of the recalled seats. This recall brings to mind all of the unsafe toys and safety equipment that have been recalled recently, some of them due to cost-saving measures (cheap components, cheap paint). I don’t expect an end to these situations any time soon. How I wish I were wrong.

So, go and check your car seat. Look for the make and model. Check it on Dorel’s list. And when you’re done, go look at the more extensive list at Seat Belt Safety USA. Take five to ten minutes to safeguard your child. And then, make it a point to check for recalls regularly. If you haven’t registered your seat with the manufacturer, please do it so they’ll be able to send recall notices directly to you. Don’t let your child’s safety wait another minute.

Sources: Chicago Tribune and Dorel Juvenile Group

Photo courtesy of Zoonie.

By Becky Scott
Contributing Editor

I’m not saying Dorel is that type of company. They recalled these seats because of a potential problem that could injure a child. Their press release states that there were no reported injuries. However, the Chicago Tribune points out that a child was injured in a January 2005 crash while in one of the recalled seats. This recall brings to mind all of the unsafe toys and safety equipment that have been recalled recently, some of them due to cost-saving measures (cheap components, cheap paint). I don’t expect an end to these situations any time soon. How I wish I were wrong.

So, go and check your car seat. Look for the make and model. Check it on Dorel’s list. And when you’re done, go look at the more extensive list at Seat Belt Safety USA. Take five to ten minutes to safeguard your child. And then, make it a point to check for recalls regularly. If you haven’t registered your seat with the manufacturer, please do it so they’ll be able to send recall notices directly to you. Don’t let your child’s safety wait another minute.

Sources: Chicago Tribune and Dorel Juvenile Group

Photo courtesy of Zoonie.

By Becky Scott
Contributing Editor