Baby Backpack Carriers Recalled

Friday, July 28th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

WASHINGTON (AP) â€” An Ohio company is recalling baby backpack carriers with plastic frames because small infants have slipped through the leg openings, including two who fractured their skulls when they hit the ground.

The recall of Gerry TrailTech backpack baby carriers was announced by Hufco-Delaware Co., of Miamisburg, Ohio. The company said the carriers, worn on an adult's back, were sold in department and baby product stores nationwide between January 1996 and July 2000, for about $65 each.

The recalled carriers have black, plastic frames; there were sold in color combinations that include slate blue with teal trim and green with black trim. People who purchased them should stop using the carriers, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said.

Consumers can get a free repair kit, which replaces the carrier seat with smaller leg openings, by calling the manufacturer at 1-800-881-9176.

The government and the company said there were four reports of infants slipping through the leg openings. Two of the babies skulls' were fractured; the two others bumped their heads when they fell to the ground.

In June 1999, Hufco-Delaware, and Vandalia, Ohio-based Evenflo Co. Inc., recalled about 327,000 Snugli Front & Back Pack soft infant carriers. There were 13 reports of infants slipping through the leg openings of that carrier.

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On the Net: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml00/00151.html