Bumbo Baby Seats Recalled

Bumbo International, a South African manufacturer, is voluntarily recalling their popular Bumbo 'Baby Sitter' Seats after reports stating that children can severely injure their heads by falling backward out of the seat.

Some 1 million foam baby seats manufactured in South Africa were sold primarily by Target Corp, Wal-Mart Stores Inc and online, as well as by other large nationwide retailers such as Sears Holdings, Kmart, Toys "R" Us and USA babies are being recalled because several reports were received that young children were falling out of the seats. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission received 28 reports of young children falling out of the seats, three of which suffered skull fractures because the seats had been placed upon tables.

Babies are at risk for serious head injuries when the seats are used improperly. Children are at a risk for head and body injuries when the seats are placed on tables, chairs, counters or any other raised surfaces. The primary reason for repeated injury seems to be that infants are arching their back which causes them to flip out of their seats and onto the floor below. It has been advised by the Consumer Product Safety Commission that consumers who have purchased this seat never use the seat on a table or elevated surface.

The baby seats made by Bumbo International have been sold for about $40 a piece from August 2003 through October 2007. The baby seat is 15 inches in diameter made of a single piece of polyurethane molded foam which can be purchased in several colors including yellow, blue, pink, purple, aqua and lime green. The baby seat is designed for infants who are anywhere from at least six weeks old and can support their own heads up to babies about 12 to 14 months or 22 pounds. The seat has holes for the legs and a foam seat back that is designed to wrap completely around the baby. On the front of the seat consumers can find the word "Bumbo" along with the image of an elephant.

On its website, Bumbo International stated that they have temporarily stopped selling the baby seat until they can properly update the safety packaging. Bumbo states that the baby seat is safe when used properly, but in order to follow all safety precautions, they have voluntarily agreed to update safety instructions on the packaging so that consumers are not confused about the proper use of the seat.

For additional information, consumers are asked to call 1.877.932.8626 or visit http://www.bumbosafety.com or http://www.cpsc.gov.