On October 20 in Washington, D.C., the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) announced a voluntary recall of 2 million Graco Quattro™ and MetroLite™ baby strollers by Graco Children's Products, Inc., of Atlanta, Georgia, due to the possibility of entrapment and strangulation of children, especially infants under one year of age. Four infant deaths that occurred with the use of the strollers during the years 2003 to 2005, as well as five reports of infant entrapment resulting in scrapes and bruises, were cited as the primary reasons for this recall. 

The CPSC recalled the Graco Quattro Tour™ and MetroLite™ strollers and travel systems manufactured prior to the existence of the January 2008 voluntary industry standard that dealt with the height of the opening between the stroller tray and the seat bottom. The January 2008 voluntary industry standard requires larger stroller openings to prevent hazards of infant entrapment and strangulation, should a child become entrapped at the neck. The recall involves Graco Quattro Tour ™ strollers and travel systems manufactured prior to 2006 and Graco MetroLite ™ strollers and travel systems manufactured prior to 2007. 

The strollers and travel systems were manufactured in China and sold from November 2000 until December 2007 in the U.S. for prices ranging from $100 to $250 at a variety of stores, including Target, Walmart, BabiesRUs, Burlington Coat Factory, Sears, Navy Exchange, AAFES and others. 

Consumers may learn the model numbers of recalled strollers by going to http://www.cpsc.gov  or http://www.gracobaby.com    Model numbers of strollers can be located on a label on a lower part of the rear frame above the stroller's back wheels or beneath the stroller.  Strollers whose model numbers end in "3" are not affected by this recall.  Also, according to the CPSC, when the stroller is used with the infant car seat, the threat of entrapment or strangulation is not present. Repair kits may be obtained from the manufacturer. To obtain additional information about the recall, the consumer may call Graco at 1-800-345-4109.

The CPSC stated that consumers should immediately refrain from using the recalled products and stressed that it is illegal to attempt to re-sell or to re-sell recalled products.

Parents, family members, and caregivers are cautioned never to leave children unattended when they are in their strollers and always to secure them by using the stroller's safety harness.