Dorel Distribution Canada Designer 22 infant carrier – potential for handle separation

TP 14566 – Public Notice
Child Restraint Systems
2009-P03 E
December 18, 2009

Road Safety
Information: 1-800-333-0371

Manufacturer:
Dorel Juvenile Group, Inc.
2525 State Street
Columbus, IN 47201
U.S.A.
Website: www.djgusa.com

Importer and Distributor:
Dorel Distribution Canada
873 Hodge Street
St-Laurent, QC H4N 2B1

Consumer Contact:
1-866-762-3318

Media Contact
Rick Leckner 1-514-731-0000

Models and Model Numbers Affected:

Number of Units:
70,009

Dates of Manufacture:
January 06, 2008 – April 06, 2009 inclusive

Geographic Distribution:
Across Canada

Issue:

Dorel Distribution Canada has informed Transport Canada of a potential for separation of the carrying handle with the above listed infant carriers. The bolts that hold the handle to the infant car seat may loosen causing the handle to fully or partially separate from the infant carrier. If an infant is unharnessed in the carrier while being manually transported outside a vehicle, then there is the potential of the infant falling out of the carrier.

The company is offering, free of charge, a fix kit consisting of instructions, bolts and a tool required to remove the old bolts and insert the new bolts.

Safety Risk:

Although the issue of the handle separating does not affect the safety performance of the infant car seat in a vehicle, when manually carrying the restraint outside the vehicle, consumers must ensure that the harness system is snugly adjusted to prevent the infant from falling out of the seat. Even then, until a fix kit is received and the necessary changes are made, the company recommends that the carrier be manually transported by holding both the head and foot of the carrier.

Background and Company Action:

Dorel Distribution Canada informed Transport Canada of a recall action in the United States concerning the potential for handle separation with the Designer 22 infant car seat. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration had received eight complaints of separation and one report of an injury. Dorel Distribution Canada has received two complaints of the bolts loosening and two complaints of the handle separating. There have been no injuries reported in Canada. Transport Canada has received no complaints. Due to the recall in the United States, Dorel Distribution Canada has offered to perform the same action in Canada.

Consumer Recourse:

Consumers may call Dorel Distribution Canada at 1-866-762-3318 to request a fix kit. If the consumer has registered their infant car seat with the company, they will be sent a fix kit. Consumers may also visit the Dorel Distribution Canada's web site to verify if their unit is involved in this notice.

Transport Canada: 1-800-333-0371

Release Date: December 18, 2009