Maclaren strollers recalled in US over lost fingers

not hann but hann's Mummy said...

Received this sms from a friend yesterday afternoon:

"not sure if u're using a Maclaren,

there's a product recall for all its strollers, after 12 kids got their fingers amputated in the hinge.

Call 6844 1188 to ask for a repair kit."

a search on the net comfirmed the authenticity this news.
It's a voluntary recall by Maclaren. Read here.

News of US recall was actually out all over the world on Tue.

---
irishtimes.com - Last Updated: Tuesday, November 10, 2009, 13:05

Maclaren recalls 1 million buggies

A Maclaren buggy that has been known to cut off children’s fingertips will reamain on sale in Ireland and the rest of Europe (hann's mummy adds, "and Singapore") despite being recalled in the US.

UK-based Maclaren today said the umbrella pushchairs were safe to use and reassured customers they are safe when opened or closed correctly.

---

Frankly, how many of us use our pram/ strollers, or anything correctly?

I think most of the time, we abuse (abnormal use) our things.
that's why designs are multipled by a safety factor.

Hubby and I are never fans of Maclaren.
We think it's overpriced, for one.
Two, as design engineers, we think it's mechanically unsound. (see picture below)

~ picture taken from http://www.maclarenbaby.com/

due to the slanting frames, there is an unbalanced moment at the handle.
hence, the stroller will tend to fall backwards.
This is be even more so if you're those kind who like to hand your bags, shopping, etc at the handles of the storller.

Users, please comment whether u find this true.

As for amputating the fingers...
some of the Maclaren stroller frames are made of square cross-sections hence has relatively sharp edges as compared to Most Combi prams which has round cross-sections.
So, when u are shutting stroller which a square cross-sention, it's a bit like operating a pair of scissors.

Well... Maclaren or not, square or round cross-section,
of cos we know we should keep the baby/ child away from the stroller when we're keeping it
but as with anything else to do with children, u can never predict where their hands will swing/ end up.
I think it's especially difficult to "keep children clear of the stroller when opening or folding it" when u are travelling alone with the child.

All I can say is... be more careful when u open and fold up ya strollers.

at the local scene,

Local distributor of Maclaren baby strollers issues safety kit

Channel NewsAsia - Thursday, November 12

...

Maclaren, however, is not extending the recall to Singapore as its strollers meet safety standards here.
Nevertheless, the local distributor of Maclaren strollers — B.I.D. Trading — will issue safety covers to pram owners for free. The safety cover will sit on top of the hinge.
The manufacturer advised parents to keep children clear of the stroller when opening or folding it — to prevent their fingers from getting caught between the joints of the pram.
B.I.D. Trading said that it received several enquiries from parents on the safety of the pram.
"From yesterday till now, we’ve already received about hundred calls from parents. So we have already jotted down their contact numbers. So once we receive the covers we will give them a call and they can come here and collect," said Grace Eng, product manager, B.I.D. Trading.
— CNA/sc

click to read source.

so actually, it's not "Local distributor ... issues safety kit"

but "Local distributor ... is going to issue safety kit"

Worried Maclaren-using parents, call 6844 1188 to book ya kit.

Lunchtime Jazz at ACM

Picture taken from ACM website.

Free Lunchtime Concert at Asian Civilisation Museum
this Friday 13 Nov 2009
12.30 p.m to 1.30 p.m
@ Shaw Foundation Foyer, ACM Empress Place

Featuring jazz and popular music performed by Assistant Professor, Dr Tony Makarome and students from the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory enrolled in the Jazz elective module.

5 buns for $4!

Prima Deli's promotion for month of Nov:

Any 5 buns for $4.00!

that's just 80cents per bun.

cheap cheap.

faster go n buy.

I remember

I was once restricted to the kitchen gate by this gate.
Mummy thinks the kitchen is highly dangerous with the boiling kettle, stove, knives, etc.

Now the gate is taken away.
I'm still not allowed to go to the kitchen alone.
I have to ask permission.
So far, I've been obeying the rules.

What i've been up to 之 while u were sleeping

All pictures and videos in this post taken by me, Hann.

I woke up earlier than Mummy for our afternoon nap.
Mummy's really tired from School.
I didn't disturb her and started working on the camera.

I'm more into videos these days.
See my latest works below.
Warning: These Videos may cause motion sickness.

Bubble Wrap

WARNING: Do not allow children to play with Bubble Wrap without adult supervision.

a parcel for Mummy arrived and I made her open it up immediately.
She gave me the Bubble Wrap and showed me how to pop the bubbles.
She told me reminded me how WALL.E showed EVE how to play and EVE popped ALL the bubbles in a flash.

see video from 6:10 onwards

After popping a few, I asked my Mummy to pop the bubbles like EVE did.
Afterall, I'm WALL.E and she's EVE.
Nay... she didn't.

breastfeeding no more

I'm exactly 3.5 years old today.

Just to put on record, I've stopped being breastfed for almost 3 months.

Mummy's thyroid disorder was getting out of control.
She thinks it's due to my 2 hospital stays and having to run to and fro hospital and school hence causing stress level to increase.
Anyway, Doc suggested her to switch medication which means she can no longer use the more bf-friendly PTU.
She's since switched to less bf-friendly Thyrozol.
It is also not advisable to get pregnant while on this medication cos Thyrozol has adverse effects on the fetus. so stop asking her when is the 2nd one coming or why she doesn't want to have another child.

photo taken when I was a baby.
check out my funny hair.

So I've been breastfed for 3 years 3 months and 4 days.

I am an understanding "baby" and didn't fuss much after we stopped breastfeeding.
My parents explained the situation to me and gave me a deadline to stop bf.
It was National Day, 09 August 2009.
We were to stop after watching the National Day Parade, they told me.
and so we did.

Amazingly, even now after 3 months of not breastfeeding, Mummy still has milk, though very little.
in the 1st two months, she still has let-down hence staining her shirt a little when she carries me.
it's as if, she can go back to bf anytime if she wants.

"Christmas time then can drink nainai (breastmilk)?" I had asked her one day.
She laughed.
Regrettably, the answer was no.