Tough Traveler® backpack carriers

CPSC Recall #02-528 — March 27, 2002

Recall Summary

Recall Number02-528
Recall DateMarch 27, 2002
Remedy TypeNew Instructions
Units Affected135

Where It Was Sold

These carriers were sold through specialty baby products and outdoor products retail stores
and through the Tough Traveler website and mail order 800 number from December 2000 through February 2002 for between $157 and $186.

Product

Tough Traveler® backpack carriers

Description

PRODUCT: Child Backpack Carriers - Tough Traveler Ltd. of Schenectady, N.Y., is voluntarily recalling 135 Kid Carrier™, Filly™ and Stallion™ child backpack carriers. These Tough Traveler® backpack carriers have metal contoured frames and were sold in color combinations of blue and teal, natural and teal, and slate and teal. A tag on the outside of the carrier reads "Tough Traveler®." The carriers have a removable washable seat, a storage pocket, a loading stand, a padded hip belt, and other features. These carriers were sold through specialty baby products and outdoor products retail stores, and through the Tough Traveler website and mail order 800 number from December 2000 through February 2002 for between $157 and $186. Only certain Kid Carrier™, Filly™ and Stallion™ carriers sold during this time are included in this recall.PROBLEM: A child could fall from a carrier when the seat restraint strap is not doubled-back through the slider if the carrier's safety harness is not used. The seat restraint strap is located between the child's legs when the child is seated.INCIDENTS/INJURIES: Tough Traveler has received one report of a strap slipping through the slider and the carrier's safety harness not being used. The child did not fall from the carrier. No injuries have been reported.WHAT TO DO: Consumers should stop using these carriers immediately and contact Tough Traveler to receive instructions on doubling back the strap through the slider. Consumers can contact Tough Traveler at (800) GO-TOUGH Monday through Saturday, 10:00am to 3:00pm EST. 

Hazard

A child could fall from a carrier when the seat restraint strap is not doubled-back through the slider if the carrier's safety harness is not used. The seat restraint strap is located between the child's legs when the child is seated.

Incidents & Injuries

Tough Traveler has received one report of a strap slipping through the slider and the carrier's safety harness not being used. The child did not fall from the carrier. No injuries have been reported.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should stop using these carriers immediately and contact Tough Traveler to receive instructions on doubling back the strap through the slider.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a New Instructions at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly — either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (New Instructions) at no cost to you.

Furniture tip-overs are a leading cause of pediatric injuries in the U.S., particularly dressers, bookcases, and television stands. CPSC data shows that a child dies approximately every two weeks from a furniture or TV tip-over. Unstable high chairs, baby swings, and bouncers are also frequent recall subjects due to fall risks. ASTM International standards now require that certain furniture must meet tip-over resistance standards, and CPSC has been actively pursuing mandatory requirements for dressers and chests. If you have furniture that was not recalled but feels unstable, wall-anchoring kits are widely available at hardware stores.

In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.

If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney — parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.