Some of Combi’s Coccoro car seat restraints are being recalled due to the increased risk of injury for children in the event of a crash.
Combi Coccoro
Attention, parents! Charlotte, North Carolina-based car seat manufacturer Combi is recalling 39,000 child restraints in cooperation with the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, according to a letter to consumers. The issue is that when Coccoro car seats are installed in a forward-facing position, and secured with just the car’s lap belt, excessive force—like that which might be experienced in a crash—can be transmitted to the child, making it more likely he or she would sustain injuries.
The recalled Coccoro Child Restraints, model number 8220, were made between January 2009 and June 2016 in a range of colors. You can find the full list of restraints that do not comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards in the company’s letter.
- RELATED: The First Self-Installing Car Seat Is Coming This Summer
It’s important to note that when the car seat is being used in a rear-facing position, the restraints are safe. Parents should also know that Combi is using this recall as an opportunity to remind users to secure car seats with the vehicle’s tether anchor and lower anchor, which are known at LATCH belts. Alternately, the 3-point lap-shoulder belt with lock-off works best to secure a forward-facing car seat.
If your car seat restraints are involved in this recall, it’s advisable to stop using the car seat and use another one, or have your child ride rear-facing until the issue is fixed. And to that end, Combi is providing covers to add to the bottom of the seats for free. To receive your remedy kit, call the company at 888-232-3294 or visit their website.
- RELATED: When to Switch a Car Seat
The company did not announce in their letter to consumers whether any kids were injured as a result of the defect.
Melissa Willets is a writer/blogger and a mom. Follow her on Twitter (@Spitupnsuburbs), where she chronicles her love of exercising and drinking coffee, but never simultaneously.