Many parents already know that baby strollers have the potential to cause serious injury. However, most assume that the injuries are due to pinched fingers, strangulation or falls. Sadly, there are other ways strollers may harm children and a late, July 2015 recall verified it. It was for a series of strollers with defective bumper bars. You may ask, “What do bumper bars have to do with serious injuries, especially if we’re not talking about falls?” We’ll explain:
The product at the heart of the international problem is unfortunately covered with a section of faulty foam. As such, children are able to pick apart the foam. The loose foam then becomes hazardous because the kids are likely to put it in places where it doesn’t belong. The list of inappropriate places includes, but doesn’t end with their mouths, noses and ears. Understandably, sticking chunks of foam in some of those places could increase a child’s risk of aspiration or choking.
Most child health professionals in the U.S. readily admit that every month, roughly six children under the age of 7 die from aspiration or choking. In the majority of those situations, pieces of food are likely to blame but chunks of foam could cause the same problems. Children that manage to dislodge the offending object may survive the ordeal but it isn’t always without serious injury.
There are a number of things that can go wrong after a choking incident. For example, a section of foam may have found its way into the child’s lungs. If that’s the case, the foam is likely to spur the development of a respiratory infection. The infection could turn deadly, especially if the foam isn’t identified and surgically removed. Other complications include, but are not limited to sore throats, clogged bronchial tubes, PTSD and hoarseness.
That said, parents whose children were injured by faulty bumper bars or other stroller defects should consider contacting us for a case evaluation.
