4 Million Bumbo Baby Seats Recalled

After at least 95 reports of babies falling out of the very popular Bumbo baby seats, including 19 who suffered skull fractures, the company that produces them is recalling nearly 4 million of the seats in the U.S.

It's not as simple as returning the seats, however. South Africa-based Bumbo International Trust said customers should order a free repair kit which includes a restraint belt and a warning sticker cautioning against placing the seat on raised surfaces.

The seats are designed to be placed on the floor, according to Bumbo, but in a recall in 2001, the company added an extra label on the front of the seat warning people against putting them on elevated surfaces such as tables.

But, it looks like parents are still placing the seats on tables, countertops, and chairs, leading to at least 45 incidents where babies aged 3 to 10 months fell, or managed to get out of the seats. At least 17 infants suffered skull fractures, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Just putting the seat on the floor doesn't necessarily help, though. At least 50 babies placed in the seats while they were on the floor managed to maneuver out of them. Two had skull fractures and one had a concussion after hitting their heads on the ground or on nearby toys.

The seats are sold at Target, Wal-Mart, Toys R Us and a many other retailers for between $30 and $50.

Customers can order the free repair kits from Bumbo's website.