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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Climbdown over pushchair safety | Climbdown over pushchair safety |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Parents with concerns over the safety of Maclaren pushchairs can ask for new safety kits after concerns were raised about injuries to children. | Parents with concerns over the safety of Maclaren pushchairs can ask for new safety kits after concerns were raised about injuries to children. |
| The move marks a climbdown by the company which had initially said it would not send out safety kits to UK customers, unlike those in the US. | The move marks a climbdown by the company which had initially said it would not send out safety kits to UK customers, unlike those in the US. |
| A number of parents have contacted the BBC outlining injuries to children who got their fingers caught in the hinge. | A number of parents have contacted the BBC outlining injuries to children who got their fingers caught in the hinge. |
| Now free covers will be sent out to parents who request them. | Now free covers will be sent out to parents who request them. |
| Earlier, the government had stepped into the row about the protection offered to parents. | Earlier, the government had stepped into the row about the protection offered to parents. |
| The initial decision not to offer a safety kit to UK customers needed be reconsidered, a spokesman for the Department for Business told the BBC. | The initial decision not to offer a safety kit to UK customers needed be reconsidered, a spokesman for the Department for Business told the BBC. |
| Maclaren had said there were fewer UK cases of children being injured than in the US, where kits were being sent out automatically. | Maclaren had said there were fewer UK cases of children being injured than in the US, where kits were being sent out automatically. |
| Pressure | Pressure |
| Owners of one million Maclaren pushchairs in the US were told to stop using them earlier this week after a dozen children had their fingertips amputated in a hinge. | Owners of one million Maclaren pushchairs in the US were told to stop using them earlier this week after a dozen children had their fingertips amputated in a hinge. |
| A modification kit has been made available in the US and UK consumers will expect the same treatment Department for Business Row over pushchair safety risks Maclaren will probe buggy claims | A modification kit has been made available in the US and UK consumers will expect the same treatment Department for Business Row over pushchair safety risks Maclaren will probe buggy claims |
| The amputations happened when children placed their fingers in the hinge while the pushchair, or stroller, was being unfolded. | The amputations happened when children placed their fingers in the hinge while the pushchair, or stroller, was being unfolded. |
| US customers are being sent the safety kit including a fabric cover for the hinge mechanism, but UK owners of identical models now need to request one by e-mailing or calling the company. | US customers are being sent the safety kit including a fabric cover for the hinge mechanism, but UK owners of identical models now need to request one by e-mailing or calling the company. |
| Trading standards officers said that only one case had been reported in the UK but, since the issue came to light, 16 cases have been highlighted to the BBC alone by parents. These have been passed on to Maclaren, and the increase in reports prompted the government to step up the pressure on the company. | Trading standards officers said that only one case had been reported in the UK but, since the issue came to light, 16 cases have been highlighted to the BBC alone by parents. These have been passed on to Maclaren, and the increase in reports prompted the government to step up the pressure on the company. |
| "Given the number of UK consumers that have now come forward giving details of injuries allegedly caused by these buggies, Maclaren should take a fresh look at this issue," a Department for Business spokesman said. | "Given the number of UK consumers that have now come forward giving details of injuries allegedly caused by these buggies, Maclaren should take a fresh look at this issue," a Department for Business spokesman said. |
| "A modification kit has been made available in the US and UK consumers will expect the same treatment." | "A modification kit has been made available in the US and UK consumers will expect the same treatment." |
| 'Vigilant' | 'Vigilant' |
| In a fresh statement, the company said its pushchairs complied with the "highest quality and regulatory standards" and, if used according to instructions, were safe. | In a fresh statement, the company said its pushchairs complied with the "highest quality and regulatory standards" and, if used according to instructions, were safe. |
| "In the last few days, we have heard from hundreds of customers at our call centre and we have been able to reassure them about the quality and safety of our products," said Dylan Johnson, general manager of Maclaren UK. | "In the last few days, we have heard from hundreds of customers at our call centre and we have been able to reassure them about the quality and safety of our products," said Dylan Johnson, general manager of Maclaren UK. |
| "Most parents understand that they have to be vigilant when operating mechanical products around children, similar to the care they show when securing children in cars or protecting them around the home. | "Most parents understand that they have to be vigilant when operating mechanical products around children, similar to the care they show when securing children in cars or protecting them around the home. |
| "We stress that our buggies are completely safe and fully compliant, but if parents remain concerned or worried, we urge them to talk to us." | "We stress that our buggies are completely safe and fully compliant, but if parents remain concerned or worried, we urge them to talk to us." |
| A spokeswoman for Northamptonshire County Council trading standards said: "We welcome any measures that reduce the risk of injury to children and have been liaising with Maclaren over the past few days around this issue. | |
| "We also hope that this acts as an important reminder to all parents and carers to take extra care when putting up any children's equipment that has a folding mechanism." | |
| Are you a concerned parent? Has your child been injured in a similar way? Send us your comments using the form below. | Are you a concerned parent? Has your child been injured in a similar way? Send us your comments using the form below. |
| A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. | A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. |
| The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |