Following safety notices issued in the US, Canada and the UK, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has now issued a warning regarding Bumbo Baby Seats.
These foam seats, with a flat, round bottom, come in a variety of colours. They feature holes for baby’s legs, with the back of the seat wrapping around the child. They are safe if used as intended – however, there have been a number of incidents where they have been placed at an elevated level and babies have fallen from them.
According to the manufacturers:
The seat is not designed to be totally restrictive and thus infants may squirm or manoeuvre out of the seat. Using the product on a table, bench or other raised surface constitutes misuse. Indeed, the seat has warnings printed on the back instructing consumers never to use the seat on a raised surface and that the seat is designed for floor-level use only, as well as similar warnings on the packaging and on a leaflet included inside the box. Since late 2007, additional warnings against elevated use have been printed on the front of the seat and on the packaging.
Nevertheless, these warnings are not always being observed.
Some parents have complained that babies are able to wriggle out of their Bumbos even when used on the floor – however, the makers state:
“The risk of injury from use of the seat as intended – only on the floor and with adult supervision – is low and no greater than when a child is crawling or learning to walk or stand.”
As an added precaution, however, the Bumbo company is now providing Bumbo users with a restraint belt kit that will help prevent children from manoeuvring out of the seat. From now on, the seats will be sold with the straps included.
If you have a Bumbo seat, you are advised to stop using it until
you have ordered and installed a free repair kit.
Source: www.recalls.gov.au
Lea White
Saturday 8th of September 2012
I used my Bumbo with both my kids, now 4 and the other 1. I don't know how I would have managed without my Bumbo.Both my kids are curious children so it traveled everywhere with me, I ven used it as a feeding chair when they were a tad older (on the ground of course). The packaging clearly states do not leave you're child unatended in the chair....... So the fact that it never had straps never bothered me cause I never left my babies alone in it when they started wrigeling. Misuse that's all there is to it, poeple once again doing what they please and not as instructed. To the Bumbo manufactured I LOVED MY BUMBO!!!!!!!
Rachel Sternquist
Friday 7th of September 2012
Babies can and have fallen out of a bumbo while sitting on the ground and while being supervised. I would never put my baby in any seat with without a buckle!
Amanda Munroe
Friday 7th of September 2012
I love my bumbo and would not want one with a strap. It's too bad some consumers can't use products appropriately.