Archive for June, 2012

Strollers Recalled by Kolcraft Due to Fingertip Amputation and Laceration Hazards June 19th, 2012

NEWS from CPSC and HC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission www.cpsc.gov
Health Canada www.hc-sc.gc.ca

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 14, 2012
Release #12-196

Firm’s Recall Hotline: (800) 453-7673
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908
Firm’s Media Contact: (202) 289-2001
HC Media Contact: (613) 957-2983

Strollers Recalled by Kolcraft Due to Fingertip Amputation and Laceration Hazards

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Contours Options three- and four-wheeled strollers
Units: About 36,000 in the United States and 270 in Canada
Manufacturer: Kolcraft Enterprises Inc., of Chicago Ill.
Hazard: A child or consumer’s finger can become caught in the opening formed when locking and unlocking the hinge mechanism which is used to adjust the handlebars on the strollers. This presents an amputation and laceration hazard to children and the adults handling the stroller.

Incidents/Injuries: Kolcraft and CPSC have received five reports of injuries involving the hinge mechanism, including reports of three children whose fingertips were amputated and two adults whose fingers were either smashed or lacerated.

Description: This recall involves Kolcraft Contours Options three- and four-wheeled strollers. Strollers included in the recall have model numbers starting with ZL002, ZL005, ZL008, ZL015 and ZL018. On the ZL002 model, the model number and date of manufacture is printed on a sticker above the left wheel. On the ZL005, ZL008, ZL015 and ZL018 models, the model number and date of manufacture is printed on a label sewn into the edge of back of the stroller seat pad. The strollers were manufactured from January 2006 through November 2009 and sold in various color schemes.

Sold at: Juvenile product specialty stores nationwide and online at Amazon.com, Target.com and ToysRUs.com from January 2006 and June 2012 for between $150 and $160.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the product and contact the company to receive a free repair kit.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, please contact Kolcraft at (800) 453-7673 between 8 a.m. and 6:45 p.m. ET Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. ET Friday, or visit the firm’s website at www.kolcraft.com

Note: Health Canada’s press release is available at http://cpsr-rspc.hc-sc.gc.ca/PR-RP/recall-retrait-eng.jsp?re_id=1629

To see this recall on CPSC’s web site, including a picture of the recalled products, please go to:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml12/12196.html

First Candle to Host the 2012 International Conference on Stillbirth, SIDS and Infant Survival June 13th, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 13, 2012

Contact:

Akesha Scott
Press Office: 800-221-7437

 

First Candle to Host the
2012 International Conference on Stillbirth, SIDS and Infant Survival

Baltimore, MD – First Candle is host to the 2012 International Conference on Stillbirth, SIDS and Infant Survival (IC) to be held on the Baltimore, Maryland waterfront from Thursday, October 4 through Sunday, October 7, 2012.  Over 350 people from across the globe who share the common goals of reducing stillbirths and infant mortality will be attending this 4-day event.  Registration is available online at http://www.firstcandle.org/internationalconference and is expected to sell-out.

SIDS and stillbirth continue to be among the most significant and challenging public health issues of our time.   The need for new research, and the sharing and dissemination of existing research findings, is crucial in order for the global community to have a substantial positive impact on infant survival.

The IC will unite esteemed international researchers, medical professionals, health educators and parents as well as leaders in public policy, safety and product development.   The IC will kick off with a welcome reception on Thursday, October 4 sponsored by Pampers.  Over the following days, over 35 world-renowned speakers will provide content related to two conference tracks, one for SIDS/SUID research and for stillbirth research.  More than 150 presentations will also be included on the agenda allowing the IC to provide a comprehensive review of the latest research and most vital information related to reducing stillbirth and infant loss worldwide.

In addition to its strong focus on research and networking, the conference will unite and support families who have experienced infant loss and recognize them for the important advocates they are.  On Friday, October 5 a remembrance service will be held in their honor, sponsored by the March of Dimes and featuring live music from Naomi Arnold.  In addition, an Oasis Room where parents can congregate will be open throughout the IC and staffed continuously by First Candle’s bereavement specialists.  During a gala dinner Saturday night, sponsored by Star Legacy Foundation, The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) will be presented with a special recognition award in honor of their 50th anniversary.  Star Legacy is selling memorial stars (www.starlegacyfoundation.org) that will be prominently displayed at the banquet in order to honor lost babies, and remind attendees of the importance of their work, and thank health professionals for their efforts.  The IC will conclude with a closing ceremony and awards presentation on Sunday, October 7.

First Candle is pleased to bring this prestigious global event to the United States.  Previous conferences have been held in Sydney, Australia (2010), Oslo, Norway (2008), Birmingham, United Kingdom (2007) and Yokohama, Japan (2006).  “First Candle is thrilled to host the conference and welcome the international community to the U.S.” said First Candle Chief Executive Officer Kelly Neal Mariotti, “The ability to share and discuss research breakthroughs with all stakeholders, from the medical community to parents, is critically important and we are working hard to facilitate these interactions and ensure the conference is an extraordinary experience for all attendees”.

The International Conference will be held in conjunction with the annual meetings of the International Stillbirth Alliance (ISA) and the International Society for the Study and Prevention of Perinatal and Infant Death (ISPID).   The mission of ISA is to raise awareness of stillbirth, to promote global collaboration in the prevention of stillbirth, and to provide appropriate care for parents who have a stillborn baby.  ISPID has, for more than 20 years, brought together researchers and support organizations from around the globe to spread knowledge of evidence-based preventive measures and reduction of SIDS worldwide.  Both organizations have been active participants in the planning process and have representatives serving on the International Conference Global Support Committee.  “Our sincere thanks go out to ISA and ISPID for their overwhelming support of the conference and for the exceptional work their members do to advance our shared cause,” said Mariotti.

Mariotti adds “We also must thank Dr. Rachel Moon and Dr. Ruth Fretts, our conference co-chairs, for their leadership and guidance, and our sponsors, especially our Gold Sponsor MAM and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), for their commitment to supporting our mission of helping babies survive and thrive.”

Additional information about the International Conference can be found at www.firstcandle.org/internationalconference, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/SIDStillbirth12, and on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/SIDStillbirth12.

First Candle is a national, nonprofit health organization dedicated to promoting infant health and survival with programs of research, education and advocacy, while at the same time providing compassionate grief support to those experiencing a SIDS, stillbirth or other sudden infant death.  For more information on helping babies survive and thrive, to access local support services or to make a donation, please call 1.800.221.7437 or visit www.firstcandle.org.

 

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2012 International Conference Preliminary Schedule Now Available June 12th, 2012

October 4-7, 2012, over 35 world-renowned speakers will provide content related to two conference tracks, one for SIDS/SUID research and for stillbirth research.  More than 150 presentations will also be included on the agenda allowing the IC to provide a comprehensive review of the latest research and most vital information related to reducing stillbirth and infant loss worldwide. Please see the attached preliminary schedule and check back often for updates.

Please click the following for a downloadable schedule: Preliminary IC Schedule


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