Finding the Umbrella Stroller for Your Needs

Babies and strollers are synonymous with one another. One of the most popular of all is the umbrella stroller. These are simple strollers that feature umbrella style handles that fold up and stores in a small space. They are the perfect stroller for babies from the sitting stage right through their toddler years.

Parents who are considering an umbrella stroller should make sure the lightweight umbrella stroller is right for their needs by determining how often it will be used, how long their child will be able to use the stroller, the type of wheels it has, the features and options that may be available for it. Different manufacturers offer different features as well as different options and sizes. Some umbrella strollers have soft rubber wheels where others have hard plastic ones. Some of these choices will also determine the cost of the stroller.

Umbrella strollers are relatively inexpensive compared to many of their more elaborate kin sake. Most are under $25 but hold up well under everyday use although most parents do not choose one because of the cost. You will want to make sure that the umbrella stroller you choose is sufficient for your needs. Safety features should be considered when choosing one such as brakes and safety restraint. These are important because you don’t want your child worming out of the stroller or rolling out into traffic unnoticed.

The wheels are another consideration when choosing umbrella strollers. The most inexpensive ones have hard rubber or plastic wheels that simply ride on a metal bar. Some of the more expensive one will have rubber wheels that give some cushion when using them on hard surfaces. These are great for children who sleep a lot while riding but make a much better ride all around. Manufacturers also offer bearing wheels for the lightweight umbrella stroller. These offer the smoothest ride of all strollers and are virtually quiet when operating on a hard surface.

The handles should be positioned at a comfortable height for parents. Some umbrella strollers will offer telescoping handles while others are a standard height. If you are tall, this can cause back problems so you should consider purchasing one with the telescoping handles. You should also consider some of the options that are available for these strollers. One option that is available for some of them is a compartment that can be attached to the bottom of the stroller for carrying supplies.

All of these features are important when you are choosing your child’s stroller regardless of the manufacturer of the stroller. They can be relatively simple with little to no additional features or a deluxe model with all the extras you can find. Because these are easy to take with you and lightweight, they make the perfect stroller for the family that is on the run. You won’t have to worry about your child getting away from you in stores and they can help you carry any necessities you may need for yourself and your child.

Recall – CYBEX Umbrella Strollers

Recall Notice – Date – January 27, 2010

Product Name: CYBEX Umbrella Strollers

Joint Recall with Regal Lager Inc., Health Canada, and the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (US CPSC)

Full Product Description: This recall involves the Ruby, Onyx, and Topaz models of CYBEX umbrella strollers. The CYBEX logo is printed on the side of the seat. The colours of the stroller are chilli, purple, slate, and indigo.

Hazard Identified: The stroller’s hinge mechanism poses a fingertip amputation and laceration hazard to the child when the consumer is folding and unfolding the stroller.

In the United States, Regal Lager Inc. has received one report of a child placing his finger in the stroller’s hinge mechanism, resulting in a finger fracture.

Neither Health Canada nor Regal Lager Inc. has received reports of incidents or injuries to Canadians as related to the use of this stroller.

Corrective Action: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled strollers and contact Regal Lager to receive a free hinge cover.

For more information, consumers may contact Regal Lager’s Service Center at 1-800-593-5522 between 8:30AM and 5:30PM ET Monday through Friday, or visit the Next link will take you to another Web site Regal Lager website. Consumers may also e-mail the firm at info@regallager.com.

Consumers may view the release by the US CPSC on the Next link will take you to another Web site Commission’s website.

Number Sold: Approximately 90 of the recalled strollers were distributed in Canada, while approximately 1100 were sold in the United States.

Umbrella Strollers 101

An umbrella stroller offers many great features, including convenience and lower cost, that make it a great product for parents. As with any purchase for a baby, however, be sure that the decision is well informed and based first on safety.

Features

1. Umbrella strollers are lightweight and usually cheaper than other more complex strollers. Curved handles are shaped similar to an umbrella and the strollers collapse into a small package.

Tipping

2. Umbrella strollers may tip easier than others because they are so lightweight. Ensure that the stroller has a wide base and do not hang items on the handles.

Locking Device

3. The ease at which umbrella strollers fold is a great feature but it can also be a safety hazard. The locking device should be checked to prevent it from folding spontaneously while the child is in the stroller.

Hinges

4. Ensure children do not place fingers in the hinges of a stroller. Recalls by the Consumer Product Safety Commission have been done because of injuries to children’s fingers.

Safety Straps

5. Always remember to buckle a child into the stroller. The stroller should have functioning safety straps that fasten tightly. A study by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission shows that 51 percent of injuries are from falls out of the stroller.

The Baby Jogger City Micro Double Stroller

Product Description:

The Baby Jogger City Micro Double Stroller in Black redefines the traditional umbrella stroller by offering several added features that exceed every parent’s expectations of an umbrella stroller. This lightweight, easy to fold double stroller is a great option for light strolling, shopping and walking around the neighborhood.

When riding in the City Micro, your children will remain safe and comfortable thanks to the one-step adjustable reclining seats, two position sun canopies with clear view windows and adjustable 5-point safety harnesses. EVA wheels with sealed ball bearings, lockable front swivel wheels and front wheel suspension help to ensure that your little ones have a smooth ride while in the City Micro Double.

A rounded handlebar makes it more comfortable for you to push the City Micro while the fold strap allows you to easily store or transport the stroller once it’s folded. The patented universal accessory mounting bracket allows you to customize the City Micro so that it is able to accommodate your children from birth through toddlerhood.

This stroller includes all of the safety standards and style that parents have come to expect from Baby Jogger.

Best Umbrella Strollers of Last Year, 2009

TOP PICKS:

• Maclaren Triumph
• Maclaren Quest
• Maclaren Techno XT
• Inglesina Trip
• UPPAbaby G-Lite
• UPPAbaby G-Luxe
• Evenflo XSport Plus
• Chicco C6 (also called the Capri)

OTHER GREAT CHOICES:

• Inglesina Swift
• Esprit Sun Speed
• Joovy Groove
• Joovy Kooper
• Jeep Wrangler
• Mia Moda Facile
• Evenflo X Sport
• Rock Star Candy

Top Ten Features to Look For in an Umbrella Stroller

Jeep Wrangler All-Weather Twin Sport Umbrella Stroller

Do your twins ever battle for the front seat? The Jeep Wrangler All-Weather Twin Sport gEdition Stroller is the perfect solution.

Great features and designs like the adjustable roll-up that can be used to increase air circulation in the summer or block wind in the winter ensure everyone is comfortable while on any adventure.

Plus, you can rest assured that you’re doing the environment a favor because the canopy and seating area are made from PET recycled fiber, saving approximately 45 16oz bottles from landfills.

Features: Generous 2 Tier Sunrider Canopy with windshield & cell phone pocket adjusts easily to block sun Cool-Climate Roll-Up exposes mesh for better air circulation & creates a head rest Independent reclining seat backs Parent Cup Holder for drinks on the run Cargo Bags hold extra baby necessities Quick Compact Umbrella Fold Height Adjustable 5 Point Safety Harness Specifications: JPMA Certified Each seat holds up to 35 lbs.

Recall on Umbrella/Canopy Strollers by Graco

The recent recalls of two popular stroller brands over reports of fingertip amputations appears to have exposed a deeper design flaw with all strollers with hinge mechanisms, as health officials issue warnings to parents and safety advocates urge changes to design rules.

“The number of fingertip amputations is quite high,” said Don Mays, senior director of product safety at Consumer Reports, based in Yonkers, New York. “This is not just a one off and we certainly don’t want it to happen to any more children.”

This week, Health Canada and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission ordered a recall of more than 1.5 million Graco brand strollers sold in Canada under the names Graco Passage, Alano and Spree. More than 28,000 of the strollers were sold in Canada from 2004 to 2010. U.S. officials said five children suffered fingertip amputations and two had fingertip lacerations after putting their fingers in the hinge mechanism used to open and close the stroller’s canopy.

Although Health Canada hasn’t received injury reports associated with Graco brand strollers, the department has received 22 reports of injuries related to strollers with hinge mechanisms since 2000. Five cases involved serious injury, including fingertip amputations, bone fractures and fingertip lacerations.

In November, another popular stroller brand, Maclaren, was subject of a product recall after a dozen reports of fingertip amputations emerged in the U.S. One Canadian child suffered a laceration injury from the stroller, Health Canada said.

Now, a growing number of safety experts say the design of many umbrella strollers, as well as those with a canopy, may be fundamentally flawed regardless of the manufacturer.

After the Maclaren recall, Consumer Reports decided to examine a variety of umbrella strollers in its stockroom.

“Our determination was that there are many, actually most other strollers we looked at, umbrella strollers, had very similar hazards with their hinge,” said Mr. Mays. “In fact, in some cases the hinge looked almost identical to the Maclaren [design].”

Mr. Mays said he has issued a request to ASTM International, a major standards development organization, to re-evaluate the standard for strollers to determine how to eliminate this problem.

Sears Canada says it hasn’t sold the affected Graco strollers since the beginning of 2008 and will move likely away from models with hinge mechanisms in the future.

“I think now that certainly, going forward, this is not a mechanism that we would buy for Sears stores,” said Vincent Power, director of corporate communications.

Health Canada also issued a general public warning this week about folding strollers that have a hinge mechanism. Parents need to use caution when opening and closing strollers and ensure that their children are not close by.

The department could not be reached for more information about the issues surrounding hinged strollers.

One pediatrician who focuses on product safety said this latest product recall will hit home for many because most have a false sense of security when choosing items for their children.

“It’s concerning because parents, [they think] when they buy these kinds of products, that they are child-proof,” said Claude Cyr, a pediatrician and professor at the University of Sherbrooke and member of the Canadian Paediatric Society’s injury prevention committee.

Manufacturers need to take greater responsibility for detecting design flaws, such as dangerous hinge mechanisms, Dr. Cyr said.

“Education is a good way to prevent injuries, but it’s usually not the best,” he said. “We have to engineer products to make sure it just cannot happen.”

Although Dr. Cyr said he believes most companies do place a high priority on safety, the new concerns emerging about umbrella strollers prove that parents can’t afford to take any product’s safety for granted.

“Nothing will replace surveillance by the parents,” he said. “There is no product that is 100-per-cent child-proof.”