Product Safety & Recalls

phil&teds takes product safety and safe use seriously.  We take the utmost care in designing products to meet or exceed safety standards all over the world.
We are extremely proud of our safety record, our proactive approach to product management, and our long term relationship with parents, all over the world.  Sometimes, new concerns arise outside the testing and production framework that require immediate attention. We are proud to make positive, pro-active product improvement measures.

From time to time, we’ll have a great idea to improve our products that may require an additional part or repair, modifications or replacement after the manufacturing process.   In most cases, a simple (free) replacement part is all that’s needed. If you have any concerns or questions please contact us or your retailer.  We  will be happy to respond.

Why we think recalls are a good thing

At phil&teds safety comes first that’s why we pride ourselves on attaining relative standards for all our products and keeping up to date with legislation in all our markets and complying. The main worldwide recognised standards are the British/European (BSEN), Australian/New Zealand (AS/NZS) and American (ASTM). We exceed these and product safety standards in all 50 countries that we operate in. Also proving our dedication to the cause we’re the first and only juvenile hardware company to achieve full CPSIA compliance with the new CPSIA standard in the US - exciting stuff! - Check out our product compliance listing.

In USA please refer to www.cpsc.gov for further details.

Explorer / Hammerhead strollers - frame upgrade

IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTICE

We’re always seeking ways to improve the function and safety of products through our continuous innovation program, and when feasible to do so we make those improvements available to owners of older versions of the product.

We implemented the upgrade in production some months ago, creating ‘Series 2’ Explorer and Hammerhead buggies, and are undertaking an initiative to make the new brake available to owners of Series 1 (pre January 2011) Explorer and Hammerhead buggies, identifiable by serial numbers between 0610/0001(June 2010, unit number 1),  and 0111/4788(January 2011, unit number 4788).  The serial numbers are read as follows – MMYY/unit number

In cooperation with the CPSC and Health Canada, phil&teds, USA is announcing a recall of our explorer and hammerhead strollers. The brakes may fail on affected strollers, posing a risk of injury. This will involve, free of charge to all affected consumers, a new brake assembly.

Our solution is to replace the brake assembly with the upgraded ‘Series 2’ system.  In the case of explorer owners phil&teds will send consumers a complete new frame fitted with a new brake assembly.  Explorer consumers can perform an in-home swap out of the affected frame.  For hammerhead consumers, phil&teds will provide a pre-paid return shipping carton so the stroller can be returned to phil&teds where the brake assembly will be replaced and the stroller returned to you.

Higher than normal warranty repair levels have been recorded in other countries, to Series 1 hammerhead and explorer strollers, and reports of users experiencing brake failure, which of course presents a potential safety risk.  There have been no incidents reported in the USA or Canada.

We ask that you identify if your stroller is affected (see below). If it is, stop using the stroller immediately and request a free brake assembly upgrade by either:

1. clicking on the link below and submitting your information in the form
2. or via the dedicated toll free phone line –   1-855-652-9019.

NOTE: this only applies to pre-January-2011 explorers and hammerheads; it does not apply to newer explorers and hammerheads which already have the Series 2 brake; nor does it apply to any other model of phil&teds buggy.

Click here to register for your free frame upgrade

CPSC and Health Canada joint release 

Metoo update - Media release

phil&teds today expressed surprise at the release by the CPSC of a use warning for their version 1(manufactured prior to March 2010) metoo clip-on highchair. Since before announcing in February a worldwide voluntary upgrade of the metoo - approved by all worldwide product safety authorities except the CPSC - the company has cooperated fully, and worked diligently, with the CPSC to reach agreement on a recall to repair that is acceptable to the CPSC. It will continue to do so in the best interests of metoo users.

In the meantime, to ensure absolute clarity for metoo users, the company would like to restate the background and details of the upgrade, the nature of reported incidents, and current actions:

Since the beginning of this year the Company’s U.S. distributor, phil&teds, USA Inc., after voluntarily reporting its proposed Fast Track fix, worked with the CPSC to approve replacement parts. Thereafter the manufacturer worked with regulators around the world to do likewise. The U.S. Distributor had reported that there had been a small number of US incidents (out of several hundred thousand units sold globally) where a metoo detached from a table. Two of these incidents resulted in Injury.

Damaged product, where rubber grip pads were missing was a contributing factor in some of the incidents, as was poor connection to the table surface. Anecdotally, this may have been caused by >consumers not tightening clamps tightly enough for fear of table damage. As a result phil&teds made available, to all users worldwide, a simple add-on kit consisting of rubberised table clamp socks that reduce the propensity for some users to inadequately attach a metoo and make it obvious if this part is missing or damaged.

There are only two versions of metoo chairs: the pre March 2010 version and the post March 2010 version (both of which meet ASTM and Company dynamic performance requirements). This action involves ONLY product manufactured pre March 2010, which can be distinguished by the exposed aluminum table top clamps. Version 2 metoos can be distinguished by the presence, out of the box, of rubberized 'socks', and black plastic 'spacers' on the table top clamps (See pictures below).

Product involved:  Pre March 2010 metoo          NOT involved: POST March 2010 metoo

Note the bare aluminum table clamps                     Note the rubberized clamp grips covering the table top clamps



If a chair is securely attached per the instructions (appropriate table, and with the clamps fully tightened) the metoo chair functions as intended.

Contrary to comments made in the CPSC release, phil&teds has sought CPSC approval of a recall to repair kit where the ‘socks’ were to be included as part of the replacement kit and will continue to work to secure their approval of replacement parts in the U.S.

For any further information please contact

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

1-855-652-9019

sport V2 / classic V1 - hinge cover

IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTICE

Consistent with our unwavering commitment to safety we are providing consumers with notice of a voluntary recall to repair and upgrade the discontinued sport v2 and classic v1 strollers, manufactured between March 2008 and June 2010.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, we are providing free of charge to all affected consumers a free self-fit hinge cover. This is in response to a very small number of reported cases of adult users catching a finger in the hinge mechanism of the sport v2 (which shares a hinge with the classic v1).

The voluntary recall to repair is to alert sport v2 and classic v1 owners of the possible risk of an amputation and laceration injury stemming from an adult user catching a finger in the hinge while folding or unfolding one of these strollers.

Of the phil&teds stroller range only these two strollers are affected by this recall. All other models have different hinge mechanisms.

Safety is our first priority and through this voluntary effort we urge consumers to immediately obtain and fit the free kit which may be obtained through one of the following methods:

1. Phone: Customer Care on 1-855-652-9019
2. Online: Click here to order online 

Should you have any queries at all please feel free to contact one of our trained customer service representatives us on: 1-855-652-9019

phil&teds stresses that all users should read and adhere to the instruction manual which contains valuable safety tips and service recommendations.

CPSC Joint Press Release

Buggy identification methods:

1. The sport v2 and classic v1 were manufactured between March 2008 and May 2010.
2. Affected serial numbers (located on the inner face of the main hinge, underneath the seat):
   • Sport V2 affected serial numbers - 0308/0001 to 0510/0840
   • Classic V1 affected serial numbers - 0308/0001 to 0510/0906
   • The serial numbers represent a manufacture date; month, then year followed by a ‘/’ then a 4 digit number for the individual stroller unit.  0308/0001 being the first stroller manufactured in March 2008
3. The strollers have the codes ‘SPv2’ (sport v2) or ‘E3C’ (classic v1) printed on the wrist safety strap attached to the stroller handle

Tott Carseat - Belt Lock

SAFETY ADVISORY: IMPORTANT INFORMATION WHEN USING THE SEAT BELT LOCK WITH YOUR TOTT CAR SEAT

When do you use the seat belt lock?

This stage is generally for children 3 – 6 years old and weighing 15 – 25kg. When a child is too large for the Tott harness, they need to use the adult seat belt, over the Tott. It secures children too large for the Tott harness, yet too small for the adult seat belt alone. Once older/heavier, they can use the Tott booster seat alone, with the seat back removed.

What is the seat belt lock?

This part comes with the Tott and is stored inside the cover at the rear of the booster cushion.

Using the seat belt lock:

1. Feed the seat belt lock through the top harness slot in the Tott seat back (left side when seated on left of car, and right side when seated on right side of car). 
2. Pull the harness adjuster strap (at front of booster seat) to tighten the belt lock strap firmly against seat back. The seat belt lock should sit just above the child’s shoulder. 
3. Feed the upper part of the adult seat belt through the seat belt lock and check that seat belt is taut, not slack. Make sure the seat belt is not twisted. Also check that the cover is not impeding the movement or fit of the seat belt webbing in any way.

Checking the seat belt lock: Always check that the seat belt lock is functioning properly - pull the adult seat belt through the lock, and ensure that the belt retracts, by itself. This is best tested when a child is secured in the seat.

If the adult belt is not retracting through the seat belt lock unassisted, please email phil&teds by clicking on the following link: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Dash Inline Buggy - Handle Mechanism

Frame replacement - due to a small number of reports (one report too many!) of the apparent failure of the trigger actuated hinge lock mechanism to engage on one side, phil&teds have recalled all affected dash stock and replaced their frames. In the final step of this recall phil&teds are asking all dash buggy owners, for their own piece of mind, to make a final check of their frame. A buggy with a frame serial number CD0108/XXXX/XXXXX through to CD0808/XXXX/XXXXX will need a replacement frame - if you have one of these serial numbers 

click here to register your details (this will also show you how to find your serial number), or contact your retailer or distributor.

e3, sport v1 - folding mechanism cover to secure buggy in folded position

USE OF HINGE COVERS IS ESSENTIAL ON THESE BUGGY MODELS. 
Some e3/sportv1 inline® buggy users are not using the folded frame-lock straps.  In such cases, the buggy may unexpectedly unfold, causing the front part to flip forward.  If this happens and the person also has their hand in the main hinge (in spite of the sticker on the frame warning against this), injury can result.

The hinge covers reduce the risk of injury when folding or unfolding your sport v1 or e3 buggy.

Important: you must NOT have a child in your buggy when folding it.

Please contact your local retailer.

- read hinge cover instructions

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