Parents, take note: More than 75,000 infant car seats from baby product maker Britax have been recalled due to defective handles. Fortunately, they’re safe to use in the car, but the handles are prone to breaking.
According to a joint statement from Britax, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the company has received 74 reports of handles breaking. A handle repair kit is available. Anyone with the products can continue to use them in the car or on a stroller, but shouldn’t pick them up by the handle until the handles are repaired.
The products in question—B-Safe 35, B-Safe 35 Elite and B-Safe 35 Travel System—are rear-facing-only car seats. They were manufactured between October 1, 2014 and July 1, 2015 and sold between November 2014 and January 2015 at Babies ‘R’ Us, buybuy BABY, Target, Amazon.com, Diapers.com and other stores.
To see if your model is affected and to receive a free repair kit, go to us.britax.com. You can find the model number and manufacture date on the label on the back of your car seat.
Infant car seat safety tips
Make sure your baby stays safe in their car seat. Follow these tips from Tanya Remer Altmann, MD, practicing pediatrician from Calabasas, California:
- Choose the right car seat for your baby’s age, weight and length.
- Make sure it’s properly installed. Visit your local police department or fire department to check if your car seat is installed properly. They provide this service for free.
- Practice using your car seat before you bring your baby home from the hospital
- Keep kids rear facing for as long as possible, either until they’re two or they reach the size limit of the infant carrier. When they outgrow the rear-facing car seat, move them to a forward-facing car seat.
- Forward-facing car seat should be used until your child reaches the height or weight limit associated with the car seat and are at least age five.
- Older kids should use a booster seat until they’re 57 inches tall.
