The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a warning to consumers that some “metoo” clip-on table top chairs put young children at risk of serious injury due to multiple safety hazards. CPSC has issued a statement urging consumers to stop using the chairs immediately.
The affected product is an infant/toddler chair with a nylon fabric seat and a metal frame imported by Phil&Teds USA, Inc. The chair clamps onto tables using two metal vise clamps, the upper part of which rests on the table top and has either a rubber clamp pad on its underside or a rubber boot covering it. The chair is sold in red, black and navy. The chairs affected by this warning do not have plastic spacers between the table clamps and the front horizontal metal bar.
According to the CPSC, the company has refused to agree to a national recall of their hazardous product which is acceptable to CPSC. The company has offered a repair kit to remedy the problem, however, consumers should be aware that CPSC has not approved a repair kit for this product, despite the firm’s prior statement that it was conducting a recall “in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.” CPSC is urging consumers to stop using the affected metoo chairs at this time in order to prevent the risk of injury to children.
The affected chairs pose serious fall and amputation hazards to children placed in them. Children can suffer impact and head injuries when the chair detaches from the table and falls with the child still inside. CPSC has been advised of numerous incidents involving the affected chairs.
According to CPSC, the clamps can detach from a variety of different table surfaces and when children move around or use their feet to push against other objects. Further, CPSC reports that the lack of adequate space between the horizontal metal bar at the front of the chair and the clamps can cause children’s fingers to be severely pinched, lacerated, crushed or amputated if caught between the bar and the clamp when the chair detaches. CPSC has additionally reported issues with the product’s packaging and instructions, finding them both misleading and failing to adequately warn of hazardous uses.
CPSC estimates tens of thousands of the chairs were distributed from May 2006 to present for about $50. The product was sold through philandteds.com, Amazon.com, Buy Buy Baby, Target, Toys R Us, other online retailers, and different independent children’s specialty stores.
If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product, contact the Defective Product lawyers of the Gomez Law Firm today.
