Parents are being urged not to use particular models of Maclaren pushchairs due to safety concerns after a few babies in America had their fingertips cut off.

The British company has already recalled about one million folding pushchairs in the US after 12 children had their fingertips amputated when they got caught in the hinges while the stroller was being opened.

Although a spokesman for Maclaren Europe insisted the products were safe when properly used and urged parents to continue using them, the Malta Standards Authority has called on operators to withdraw them from the market until the problem is identified and resolved.

Parents who already owned one of the many models of Maclaren pushchairs should not use them, MSA market surveillance department head Michael Cassar said.

Nine models of Maclaren strollers - Volo, Triumph, Quest Sport, Quest Mod, Techno XT, Techno XLR, Twin Triumph, Twin Techno and Easy Traveller - have been recalled in America. The company said on its website that the hinge mechanism "poses a fingertip amputation and laceration hazard to the child when the consumer is unfolding or opening the stroller".

Maclaren Europe said it had updated its operating instructions and placed a warning label on the buggy to ensure parents kept children away from the pushchair when it was being folded or unfolded.

"Our advice is consumers should take the same level of caution and care as when opening and closing a car door or any other moving part that can be found in many other baby and toddler products," it said.

It adding that a recall in the US meant there would be corrective action or product modification, which could be carried out in the home. The company is providing consumers and retailers with a kit to cover the hinge mechanism.

Michelle Busuttil, the mother of a two-year-old son, rushed to check her Maclaren pushchair when she heard about the problem, breathing a sigh of relief when she found out it was not among the listed models.

"It is the best thing I have ever bought and I recommend it to everyone," Ms Busuttil said about the pushchair, which cost more than €200.

The MSA was informed of the problem by the European Commission yesterday morning and was trying to track down the local agent but has not managed yet. Attempts by The Times to contact the agent listed on the Maclaren website also proved futile yesterday.

Mothercare, one of the local retailers of Maclaren pushchairs, yesterday removed them from its shops until it has more information about the product's safety. Later, the British franchise said the pushchairs complied with the necessary standards.

The authority is urging parents who own a Maclaren pushchair to contact its Market Surveillance Directorate on 2395 2000 or 2124 2420.

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