Heidi Klum's TV advertisements tout her line of baby equipment that is carried exclusively at Babies "R" Us. But Consumer Reports found a safety risk with the $220 Truly Scrumptious Travel System during testing of the harness.
"We applied the amount of tension the harness should be able to withstand, based on the voluntary industry safety standard," said John Galeotafiore, a Consumer Reports baby and child products expert. "The right side of the harness buckle popped open 10 out of 15 times in our tests."
Consumer Reports tested three different samples of the Heidi Klum Travel System and found the same problem with each.
In a second test that simulates a stroller hitting a curb, a 50-pound weight stands in for the heaviest child the stroller is rated to carry. The strollers' buckles released seven out of 15 times in Consumer Reports tests. It's the only stroller with this problem in more than 100 strollers in Consumer Reports ratings.
"Although we know of no injuries caused by this stroller, the danger is that a child can fall out of the stroller and get hurt if the harness fails," said Galeotafiore.
Consumer Reports has designated the Truly Scrumptious Travel System Model TR252BQR by Heidi Klum a "Don't Buy: Safety Risk."
"The car seat included in this travel system has its own harness that passed Consumer Reports' safety tests," said Galeotafiore. "So if you have it, you can continue to use the car seat either in the stroller or in your car."
But Consumer Reports urges parents not to use the stroller on its own and to consider asking Babies "R" Us for a refund.
If you are looking for a travel system, Consumer Reports recommends the Chicco Cortina KeyFit 30. It costs $330.
Consumer Reports has notified the maker of the Truly Scrumptious Travel System by Heidi Klum, the Dorel Juvenile Group, which says it disagrees with Consumer Reports' conclusions based on its own internal and outside tests. The company says it has had no complaints about the buckle releasing.
