Baby Carriages Recalled

Maclaren USA Inc., the maker of baby carriages, is recalling about 1 million umbrella strollers sold in the U.S. after receiving reports of 12 kids who had their fingertips amputated by the side hinges over the past 10 years.

Maclaren USA, a South Norwalk, Connecticut-based unit of the closely held U.K. company, has been working with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission since August on the voluntary recall, Charlotte Addison, a spokeswoman for Maclaren, said in a telephone interview today.

The company has received reports of 15 injuries from children placing their finger in the hinge, resulting in 12 fingertip amputations, the CPSC said in a statement. There’s been an increasing number of injuries in the past two years, prompting the recall, Addison said.

The recall involves all umbrella strollers sold in the U.S. since 1999, including the “Volo” model, which costs $130, and “Techno XT,” which costs $315, according to MacLaren’s Web site. The company will send protective covers to all owners for the side hinges, Addison said. Parents should keep children away from the carriages when opening and closing them, she said.

Consumers should immediately stop using the strollers and contact Maclaren to receive the free protective covers, the CPSC said.

Maclaren strollers, which are made in China, are sold in the U.S. at retailers including Babies “R” Us and Target Corp., according to the CPSC.