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CPSC announced an infant can pass through the opening between the stroller tray and seat bottom, but his or her head and neck can become entrapped by the tray, with infants who become entrapped at the neck at risk of strangulation. [1] A 6-month-old baby boy from Tarzana, California died of strangulation after his head was trapped between the seat and the tray of his Peg Perego stroller in 2004, and another baby, a 7-month-old girl from New York, nearly strangled when her head became trapped between the seat and the tray of her stroller in 2006. [1]
One Infant Death
The 6-month-old boy died from strangulation when his neck became trapped in the gap between the tray and seat. The fatal entrapment occurred when the infant slipped through the opening but his head could not pass back through.
Near-Fatal Strangulation
The 7-month-old girl nearly died from strangulation in an identical entrapment scenario. The child was discovered with her neck caught in the tray-to-seat gap before fatal asphyxiation occurred.
Venezia and Pliko-P3 Models
The recall covers Venezia and Pliko-P3 stroller models manufactured between January 2004 and September 2007. Multiple model numbers are affected across both stroller lines.
Single Cup Holder Identification
Only strollers with child trays featuring one cup holder are recalled. Strollers with bumper bars or trays with two cup holders are not included in the recall.
Model Number Locations
Model numbers are printed on white labels on the back of Pliko-P3 stroller seats and on Venezia stroller footboards. The model numbers begin with specific prefixes identifying recalled units.
Sold 2004 Through 2010
The strollers sold at retailers nationwide including Babies R Us and Buy Buy Baby from January 2004 through September 2010. Pliko-P3 strollers cost $270-$330 while Venezia strollers cost $350-$450.
Pre-Standard Manufacturing
The strollers were manufactured before the January 2008 voluntary industry standard addressing stroller opening heights. The standard requires larger openings preventing infant entrapment and strangulation hazards.
Free Repair Kit Remedy
Peg Perego provides free repair kits to modify the defective strollers. Consumers must contact the company directly at 888-734-6020 as retailers cannot provide repair kits.
Unrestrained Infant Risk
Entrapment and strangulation occur especially to infants younger than 12 months when children are not harnessed. The hazard increases dramatically when safety restraints are not used.
Body Passes Through Opening
Infants’ bodies slip through the gap between the tray and seat bottom. The opening is large enough for the torso but too small for the head to follow.
Head and Neck Entrapment
The infant’s head becomes trapped on the seat side while the body hangs below the tray. The tray edge presses against the neck creating compression and airway obstruction.
Strangulation Mechanism
The tray edge compresses the neck structures including the trachea and blood vessels. The compression cuts off oxygen flow to the brain causing asphyxiation and death.
Positional Asphyxia
The infant’s body weight suspended below the tray increases pressure on the trapped neck. Gravitational forces worsen the compression against the rigid tray edge.
Design Defect in Tray Gap
The strollers with gaps between trays and seats large enough for infant bodies but too small for heads are defectively designed. Safe stroller design requires openings preventing body passage or large enough for complete passage including the head.
Failure to Meet Safety Standards
Manufacturing strollers before the 2008 voluntary standard does not excuse selling products creating fatal entrapment hazards. Reasonable stroller design requires preventing infant strangulation regardless of standard adoption dates.
Delayed Recall After Death
Waiting until 2012 to recall strollers after a 2004 death and 2006 near-strangulation demonstrates inadequate response to fatal hazards. Companies learning of strangulation deaths must recall immediately.
Breach of Implied Warranty
Peg Perego breached implied warranties by selling strollers that strangle infants during normal use. Children’s products causing death fail basic safety requirements for infant transportation devices.
Negligent Product Design
Manufacturing strollers with tray-to-seat gaps creating entrapment hazards constitutes negligence. Stroller manufacturers must eliminate all strangulation risks before marketing to families with infants.
Contact an Attorney
If your child suffered strangulation injuries or death from Peg Perego stroller entrapment, contact a product liability attorney. Preserve the stroller with measurements of the tray gap, purchase receipts, and medical or autopsy records.
References
1. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2012/Peg-Perego-Recalls-Strollers-Due-to-Risk-of-Entrapment-and-Strangulation-One-Child-Death-Reported