October 25, 2007: Bumbo Baby Sitter Seats Recall

Recall Reason

Parents of young children commonly use plastic or rubber chairs to help their babies stabilize their bodies and learn to sit up: What they don't anticipate is how mobile a squirmy baby is, even in a seat. According to the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC), a major manufacurer of one of these chairs is recalling over one million chairs after receiving 28 reports of young children falling out of Bumbo Baby Sitter Seats that had been placed on tables.

The CPSC warns that if the seat is placed on a table, countertop, chair, or other elevated surface, young children can arch their backs, flip out of the Bumbo seat, and fall onto the floor, posing a risk of serious head injuries.

(Doctors commonly discourage parents from letting their children use infant walkers for similar safety reasons.)

Do You Own This Seat?

Click here to read the official recall release and see photos of the seat.

According to the CPSC, the bottom of the children's seat is round and flat with a diameter of about 15 inches. It is constructed of a single piece of molded foam and comes in yellow, blue, purple, pink, aqua, and lime green. The seat has leg holes and a seat back that wraps completely around the child.

On the front of the seat in raised lettering is the word "Bumbo" with the image of an elephant on top. The bottom of the seat has the following words: "Manufactured by Bumbo South Africa Material: Polyurethane World Patent No. PCT: ZA/1999/00030."

The back of the seat contains the following: "WARNING – Never use on a raised surface. Never use as a car seat or bath seat. Designed for floor level use only. Never leave your baby unattended as the seat is not designed to be totally restrictive and may not prevent release of your baby in the event of vigorous movement."

Who to Contact

These seats were sold by Target, Wal-Mart, Sears, Toys R Us, Babies R Us, USA Babies, and various other toy and children's stores nationwide, and various online sellers, from August 2003 through October 2007 for about $40.

Consumers can contact Bumbo to obtain new warning label stickers and instructions, free of charge. The new warning label will state: "WARNING – Prevent Falls; Never use on any elevated surface." If you own a seat, realize that it is safe for children when used as instructed. Consumers should use the Bumbo seat at ground level only and should never leave a child unattended.

For additional information, contact Bumbo International at (877) 932-8626 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm's Web site at www.keendistribution.com/customerCare.php