The GRACO Quatro Tour and MetroLite strollers are causing uproars all over the country because of the 9 injuries (some of which were deaths) reported as a result of a "flaw" in these particular strollers. Apparently, strangulation can occur when the infant is not properly harnessed and slips through the opening underneath the tray. Now, I agree that this is a horrific image. My heart goes out to the parents of the children affected by these unfortunate accidents.
However, recalling 2 million strollers and causing parents all over the country to panic just seems to be a little much. When I heard about the recall, I was upset. I, too, am the proud owner of the Quatro Travel System. I have loved my stroller since the moment I saw it in the store. It's cute, practical yet luxurious, and incredibly convenient. I went way over my "stroller budget" to purchase this model because I was so excited about it. Seeing the news of the recall was devastating. My imagination went crazy, I scared myself, and hurried to find out what was really going on. Well, I've read the information, and I'm still in love with the stroller.
I apologize if this upsets anyone, but isn't it common sense that you should properly harness your infant in any type of traveling seat? You wouldn't go driving around with a 4 month old baby in a car seat without buckling her in. Why would you put a tiny baby in a stroller without buckling the harness? Blaming the stroller for the injury of an infant when the infant wasn't properly strapped is like blaming the car seat for the injury of a child when he or she wasn't buckled. Duh. Don't leave your baby unattended, for even a second, in a stroller without fastening the harness! Also, an infant sliding out from underneath the tray seems odd as well because there is a foot flap that folds up and fastens the area closed. If the baby is too small for his or her feet to dangle through the opening, close the flap. Seems pretty simple.
I think we need to find some of the common sense we've lost as a society and put it back in place. I know there are products that genuinely need to be recalled, but perhaps we should stop blaming everything on the "other guy" once in a while and take a look at ourselves.
Buckle your kid.
I am still going to continue using this stroller, properly of course, and hope other moms don't freak out about the recall like I initially did. If you are concerned about the recall and want to order the free "repair kit" (whatever that means), click here.
Our little Emma was just over a month old in this picture, but it's a pretty good view of the harness. If it is fastened, the baby isn't going anywhere.
