January 21, 2010 | 2:00 pm

Graco Strollers; Losing Fingers Not Sleep

Posted by Mihal Levy

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I love my Graco stroller, or loved it, rather. 

Although I don’t use my stroller much anymore (ever tried wrangling a three-and-a-half-year-old into a stroller that he says is “for babies”), I was proud to have one that has lasted until now since my son was born (minus the replacement they sent out when the back suddenly fell out of it.  My son wasn’t in it at the time, luckily - they said it was “just a fluke”).  I was proud to say that I am the proud owner of a sturdy, rugged, comfortable, lightweight, good for even long naps (for my son, not me) horse of a stroller, with probably the biggest basket in town to hold groceries, mall shopping, extra baggage and even a spare tire for my car, not the stroller. 

I was happy to say I think I made the best decision in only having one stroller, while my friends’ owned various strollers for various occasions; one for weekends, weekdays, jogs, strolls, shopping, terrain, summer, spring, fall or to match the color of their key chakra that day.  They had twelve, I had ONE and the best one at that.  (They could also afford twelve, but that is another story.)  So, my nifty Graco, I am proud to say, has joined me on my journey through malls, on airplanes, outings, jogs, walks and skipping (they need to come up with a good stroller for skipping).  It even held up under the countless bags of groceries and other things strewn on it in the trunk of my car (even my husband’s guitar amp - ouch).

I was a proud owner until today.

It was announced on Wednesday (I found out today) that Graco strollers are being recalled because of fingertip amputations.  (Oh, nothing major.)  (There are nine more where that came from.)  And only about 1.5 million strollers are probably affected.  (Not a chance that mine is one of them?) The accidents can occur due to an uncovered hinge on the canopy.  The Associated Press reported seven accidents this far.  It was reported that five children had their fingertips severed, while two others received lacerations.

The recall is being made by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission along with Graco.  (They will send out a do-it-yourself repair kit, not a replacement.) The affected strollers include the Graco Passage, Alano, Spree Strollers and Travel Systems, as well.

So, if you are like me and thought that you made the best decision, think again.  My stroller has been recalled.  Should’ve bought a Bugaboo and had my personal assistant (yet to be hired…but one can dream) carry my things, instead of relying on a big Graco basket.  (Barbie and Jennie were right on.  See previous post.)

If you purchased your Graco between October 2004 and February 2008, check below to make sure your stroller is not on the list.

Check yours against the models below.  Good luck. (*Model number is located on the lower inside portion of the rear frame above the rear wheels).:
6303MYC, 6303MYC3, 6320IVY, 6320LAU, 6330CAP, 6330THR, 6330THR3, 6F00QIN3, 6F00RRY3, 6F03GLN3, 6G10CSE3, 7235GGA, 7235GGA2, 7236CDR2, 7237HOL2, 7237HOL3, 7240DNB, 7240DNB2, 7240MKL2, 7240MKL3, 7241DDH2, 7241DHO3, 7255CLP, 7255CLP2, 7255CRA2, 7255CRA3, 7255CSA3, 7255GPK3, 7255GRN, 7255GRN2, 7255JJB3, 7255ORC2, 7255WLO2, 7255WLO3, 7256CLO2, 7256SPM2, 7256SPM3, 7260BAN, 7260BAN2, 7260BAN3, 7260MRA2, 7260MRA3, 7260PKR, 7260PKR2, 7270BIA, 7270BIA2, 7E01JON2, 7E01JON3, 7F00LPE3, 7F00RSH3, 7F01FOR3, 7F02GLM3, 7F04TAY3, 7F07EMA3, 7F08DSW3, 7F08LAN3, 7G00DLS3, 7G00DLS4, 7G01CRL3, 7G04KRA3, 7G05GPR3, 7G06WSR3

*Info taken from associatedcontent.com