The Recall Desk
HighCPSC·00037·Announced 1999-12-22

Kelty Recalls Backpack Child Carriers Due to Strap Failure Risk

Kelty is recalling approximately 26,000 K.I.D.S. backpack child carriers because the seat height adjustment strap can slip out of the buckle, posing a risk of a child sliding down or falling.

What this means for you

Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a risk-of-harm product where a child could fall out of the carrier, but the source explicitly states that no injuries have been reported, fitting the High severity criteria.

Plain-English summary

Kelty, of Boulder, Colo., is recalling approximately 26,000 K.I.D.S. backpack child carriers. The recall involves six models: Expedition, Trek, Explorer, Country, Elite, and Town. These carriers are blue and feature the Kelty K.I.D.S. logo on the back rest of the seat. The recall also includes a carrier sold by L.L. Bean under the "L.L. KIDS" label, which has the "Kelty" logo on the black frame hinge. Carriers purchased prior to March 1999 are not included in this recall.

The seat height adjustment strap on these carriers can slip out of the buckle. This defect allows a child to slide downward in the seat unexpectedly and potentially fall out of the carrier. Kelty has received two reports of children slipping down inside the carriers after the height adjustment strap came loose. In both instances, the children did not fall out of the carrier, and there were no reports of injury.

The recalled backpack carriers were sold nationwide from March 1999 through December 1999 for between $100 and $250. They were available at specialty and sporting good retailers, including L.L. Bean, REI, and Eastern Mountain Sports. Consumers should immediately stop using these backpack carriers and contact Kelty at (800) 423-2320 or visit www.kelty.com for instructions on obtaining a free repair kit.

The recalled product

Product
Kelty K.I.D.S. backpack child carriers
Affected units
26,000

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.