Scooters Recalled for Faulty Handlebars
Nearly 100,000 scooters--one of this holiday season’s most popular toys--were recalled Thursday by federal safety officials because problems with their handlebars can cause riders to lose control.
About 90,000 Kent Kickin’ Mini Scooters, made by Kent International Inc., are being recalled because the handles can come out of the steering column, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said. And about 7,500 Racer X20 scooters, from Kash ‘N Gold Ltd., have been recalled because a plastic joint between the handlebars can break.
Both models, which are kick-powered, lightweight and collapsible, have been removed from store shelves, and consumers who own them are urged to immediately stop riding them.
Six injuries have been attributed to the problems prompting the recalls.
In August, Kash ‘N Gold was notified of a chest bruise injury caused by a faulty joint in the Racer X20, said Dan Nelant, the company’s chief financial officer. The company began a voluntary recall and informed the safety commission. In response, the commission conducted an inquiry in September of the entire scooter manufacturing industry.
After finding problems with the handles of the Kickin’ Mini Scooter, the commission asked Kent to recall the scooter, which the company did, commission spokeswoman Jane Francis said.
Kent has received four reports of injuries caused by handles disconnecting from the base, according to the commission’s Web site. The injuries--all involving children--included broken arms, a broken wrist, bruises, abrasions and a cracked tooth. Kash ‘N Gold has received one report of its handlebar joint breaking, resulting in a bump on a rider’s head.
Although this is the safety commission’s first scooter recall, there have been reports of injuries from kick-powered scooters for months. The scooters, which were introduced on the market last year, soared in popularity over the summer. But in an alarming trend, the agency reported that the number of scooter accidents has increased 1,800% from May to September.
According to agency statistics, 30,000 people have gone to hospital emergency rooms this year for treatment of scooter injuries. “About 85% of injuries are to children younger than 15,” CPSC Chairman Ann Brown said. “For the first time, scooter injuries have surpassed injuries from in-line skating.”
Rather than advising against the purchase of scooters, the commission recommends that consumers buy safety gear, including a helmet, wrist guards and knee and elbow pads. “Our experts have found that by wearing safety gear, scooter injuries can be reduced 50% to 60%,” she said.
Francis said that, according to consumers’ reports, none of the scooter riders was wearing safety gear at the time of injury.
The commission also recommends that scooters be used on paved surfaces free of water, sand and gravel; they not be used on streets or other routes with heavy traffic; they not be used at night; and they not be used by children younger than 8.
The agency has investigated all other scooter brands and models and found no additional problems, Francis said. The scooter recall notice, which is posted on the agency’s Web site, https://www.cpsc.gov, received more than 6,000 hits in the first three hours of the scooter recall Thursday morning, an agency record.
Consumers can call Kent International at (800) 451-5368 to receive a free replacement handlebar with pins. The Racer X20 scooters can be returned to the store where they were purchased for a refund or consumers can receive a new scooter with a metal joint. Kash ‘N Gold can be reached at (800) 354-8785.
