Child Restraint News
Get the latest updates from NZCR right here. Includes news on international developments and car seat recalls/advisory notices.
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| Month | Description |
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| June 08 | New layout, logo and links for NZ Child Restraints. Let us know what you think and what else you would like to see. We also welcome new Gold Supporters and welcome the input from Britax, Winkalotts, Kiwibaby and Baby Universe now and in the future as NZCR continues to develop and grow. We couldn't do it without you. |
| May 08 | NZCR welcomes Promo-t Apparel as their first Gold Supporter. Promo-t supplied NZ Child Restraints with a winter uniform free of charge. This means that we can check your seat in the rain! Promo-t Apparel have affordable uniforms and promotional products for your business needs and have outstanding customer service to top it all off. We recommend them 100% Check out their Gold banner - click here to view. |
| April 08 | NZ Child Restraints introduces and welcomes Gold Supporter Individuals and companies who choose to support NZ Child Restraints, and who meet our Gold Supporter criteria receive a free 500 pixel x unlimited pixel banner on our "Thanks to..." page. This banner is placed at the top of the list of supporters and has no on going costs or minimum term requirements. Conditions apply, please contact us for more information if you would like to become a Gold Supporter. We welcome our first Gold Supporter in May, watch here to find out more! |
Sign our petition Our latest petition - Requesting Trade Me to make the date of manufacture (DOM) a required field on all car seat auctions. With special thanks to Norelle for prompting this request. - Be sure to let your friends know too!
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| Mar 08 | Evenflo Recall Evenflo announced it is implementing a voluntary safety recall of its Discovery Infant Car Seat Models 390, 391, 534, 552. Approximately one million units were produced beginning April 2005. For more information on this recall for New Zealand, click here, for USA information visit www.evenflo.com. |
| Feb 08 | Brio Zento car seats arrive Brio Zento car seats have arrived in New Zealand and are ready for purchase and sale at Baby on the Move. RRP $549. |
| Jan 08 | Higher harnessing discussions start New product negotiation currently happening between various companies for new child restraints to be sold in NZ with higher harnessing weight limits (65lb/29kg). Two new higher weight harnessing child restraint due to arrive in NZ by March 2008. The Brio Zento is said to rear face to 25kgs (55lb). While the new Compass seat can hold children to a maximum of 29kgs (65lb) harnessed. If you wish to be updated, please contact us. |
| Sept 07 | Car seat checking clinics now up and running |
| Aug 07 | Safety Central developed. Education classes start taking form. More exciting developments happening in September, watch this space (>',.,'<) |
| July 07 | Site released with design provided by StyleShout |
| June 07 | New Zealand Child Restraints featured in June/July Tots to Teens magazine. |
| May 07 | A collection of articles recently published and featured in the New Zealand Herald, and online news site www.stuff.co.nz. |
| May 07 | Site released with more information on child safety, divided into 3 categories. Logo's made by Kelley of Balaclava Design focusing on children and "fun". Featured products Car seat reviews: |
| March 07 | Safe2Go certificate updated 22 March 2007 |
| Dec 06 | Infants left sleeping in car seats could be at risk of breathing difficulties when their head falls forward over their airway. |
| Nov 06 | Trademe requires compliance tick before selling child restraints Compliance Declaration: Some traders will tick this box without knowing if is less than 10 years old (some seats have a life span only 6 years) and without checking the standards sticker attached. Always ask for the manufacture date and what standard it meets. |
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| Month | Description |
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| Jan 07 | USA |
| Sept 06 | United Kingdom: |
Evenflo Discovery recall
February 2008
Evenflo Announces Voluntary Safety Recall of Discovery Infant Car Seat and Provides Supplemental Fastener to Enhance Safety Performance
VANDALIA, Ohio - February 1, 2008 - Evenflo today announced it is implementing a voluntary safety recall of its Discovery Infant Car Seat Models 390, 391, 534, 552. Approximately one million units were produced beginning April 2005. This is based on recent laboratory tests conducted by Evenflo and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which show that this car seat could potentially become separated from its base in high impact side collisions similar to those in the tests. As a precautionary measure, Evenflo is providing current owners of these models with a free supplemental dual-hook fastener that has proven that the seat remains attached to the base in the event of such collisions. Additionally, Evenflo is taking steps to develop future models of Discovery with enhanced safety performance. These new Discovery models will be available to consumers starting in the second quarter, 2008.
“We are parents, too, and protecting children is our core mission at Evenflo. While our current Discovery car seat models have performed well to protect infants in actual side impact automobile collisions without any reports of serious injury or death since they were introduced, we want to take further steps to protect the safety of children who use our products,” said Rob Matteucci, CEO of Evenflo. “These lab tests do show there is potential for the base to detach from the seat in high impact side collisions, so we are recommending that all Discovery owners use the supplemental dual-hook fastener, available free from Evenflo.”
In the meantime, consumers should continue to use their Discovery infant car seat and there is no need to return it to retailers.
Click here for more information.
Cosco & Safety First recall
30th August 2007
Dorel Juvenile Group Announces a Voluntary Safety Recall Of Certain Convertible Child Restraint Systems
Columbus, IN August 30, 2007- Dorel Juvenile Group (DJG) is issuing a voluntary safety recall for certain Cosco and Safety 1st brand child restraint systems manufactured during November 2003 through December 2005.
Although no injuries have been reported, there is a potential for the harness adjustment strap to loosen during use. If this were to occur, the harness may be loose around the child, possibly increasing the risk of injury in a crash. We feel that it is important to replace the harness adjustment strap.
For more information click here. We are currently checking with New Zealand importers to see if this affects seats sold here.
It appears that no seats were imported into New Zealand by Planet Fun during this time. IGC took over the role of importer for Cosco and Safety 1st in August 2007.
Please contact us if you have a seat with the above dates, we will follow this up for you.
Safe-n-Sound Maxi Rider I
29-Jun-2005
The problem
The upper tether strap adjuster may be incorrectly assembled and will not function to hold the child restraint in an accident.
These products were sold after 10 June 2005.
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Details Affected products have manufacturing dates from 17 May 2005 to 26 May 2005. The date can be found under the pocket. Also, the round inspection label attached to the back of the plastic shell has the number 63 on it. |
What to do
Stop using the seat. To arrange a free replacement contact Britax Childcare on 0508 688 822, advising the date of manufacture, inspection number and serial number.
The serial number can be found on the red and white Standards Australia label.
Babywell car seat
The problem
Uncertified modifications were made to the Babywell car seat by the manufacturer after certification and so this model is not approved for sale in the New Zealand market.
Details
Model 831 (over 6 months) 9-18 kg.
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Sold through Nappies For Less, Waysoft Ltd. or their agents between 1 April and 16 June 2004. |
What to do
Return them to any Nappies For Less store, Waysoft Ltd. or any of their agents for a full refund.
For more information call Waysoft on: 0800 627 339.
Address:
Waysoft Ltd
Unit 5/100 Alexander Cres.
Otara
Auckland
Safe-N-Sound Royale & Platinum Child Restraints
30/11/2002
Supplier Name: Britax Childcare Pty Ltd
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Fabric buckle pads with grey backing found on the Safe-n-Sound Royale & Platinum Convertible Child restraints manufactured prior to 31 August 2001 only (refer to the label on the side of the product for the date of manufacture). (Image shown does not have buckle or shoulder pads shown) |
The grey backing of the fabric buckle pad may become detached, exposing loose fibre and the occupant may then be able to access this fibre which may then become a choking hazard.
What to do
If you have a fabric buckle pad on Safe-n-Sound Royale and Platinum child restraints, please discontinue use of the pad immediately. To arrange for a free replacement contact Britax Childcare on 1800 806 974 advising the date of manufacture and serial number.
Phone
0508 688 822 toll free for Safe-n-Sound's New Zealand office.
This affects seats with the above manufacture date sold in Australia. If your seat is NZ purchased it is not likely to be affected.