Consumer group Which? is calling for parents in the UK to have the same consumer rights as those in the US, amid fears that some pushchairs can amputate children’s fingers.

BBC News reports that parents in the US who use a Maclaren pushchair have been advised not to use them, after a dozen children had fingers amputated by a hinge on the pushchair.

However, while parents in the US will be sent a safety kit, UK parents will only receive ‘extra guidance’ on how to use the buggies.

The Maclaren models in the safety alert involve both single and double umbrella pushchairs, including the Volo, Triumph, Quest Sport, Quest Mod, Techno XT, Techno XLR, Twin Triumph, Twin Techno and Easy Traveller.

Children who lost their fingers had placed them in the hinge when the buggy was being unfolded.

US Consumer Product Safety Commission has received 15 reports of children having injured their fingers to date – but said that there had not been ‘the same level of concern’ in the EU. Despite the involvement of trading standards officers in the UK, no safety kits will be despatched to parents with pushchairs in or Britain or Europe, said Maclaren Europe.

A spokesman for the company told the BBC:

‘There are a lower number of similar reported incidents among the considerably higher number of Maclaren buggies sold in Europe annually relative to the US market.’

However, teacher Lara Bond from London said that her child lost a fingertip in one of the pushchairs:

‘My daughter lost her finger tip in a folding Maclaren Volo last year, when she was four. It had to be re-attached, but has left a scar. I did not report it at the time, but think now I should have.’

Which? awarded Maclaren pushchairs Best Buy status in February 2008, but says that UK consumers should have the same protection as parents in the US.

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