CORTEZ, Colo. — More than 87,000 child backpack carriers are being recalled after two children suffered injuries from falling out of backpack carriers designed by Osprey, an outdoor gear supply company based in Colorado.
At least four children have slipped out of the nylon carrying contraptions, leaving at least two injured — one with a skull fracture and one with scratches — according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The leg openings on the defective child-wearing backpack, which is meant to securely hold up to 48.5 pounds, are large enough that a small child could slip through and fall to the ground.
The recall includes the Poco, Poco Plus and Poco Premium backpack models manufactured between January 2012 and December 2014 in three colors: romper red, koala grey and bouncing blue. The production date is located on the “interior of the large lower zipper compartment on the back of the carrier,” according to the CPSC.
“Your safety is our No. 1 priority,” Osprey said in a statement posted to Facebook.
The Poco line of carriers, which range in price from $200 to $300, were sold by REI, Amazon.com and other outdoor merchants throughout the U.S. and Canada. Roughly 82,000 were purchased in the U.S., and another 5,732 in Canada.
Consumers are advised to immediately stop using the backpacks and contact Osprey for a free seat pad insert to be used along with the pack’s safety straps to ensure the safety of the child when placed in the carrier.
