Supermodel Heidi Klum fired back at the consumer product-testing magazine that yesterday claimed her line of baby strollers is unsafe for tots, saying she cares deeply about child safety and respects the manufacturing company in charge of building the product.
“As a mother of four, safety is obviously a top priority for me. We only partner with companies that have consistently demonstrated their commitment to meeting the highest standards for the products they manufacture,” Klum told The Post.
“When I heard this news today, we immediately contacted [the manufacturer] Dorel Juvenile and I will continue to follow up and make sure they are addressing any concerns,” she said.
The product-testing magazine Consumer Reports yesterday released a study claiming the Heidi Klum Truly Scrumptious Travel System stroller is unsafe for kids because its seat harness fails to stay latched.
A buckle on the stroller popped open during two-thirds of safety tests conducted by Consumer Reports, according to the product-testing magazine.
During three safety tests, experts applied 45 pounds of force on the stroller — an impact comparable to swiftly hitting a curb, the magazine notes. The stroller’s right-side buckle popped open 10 out of 15 times.
Of 100 strollers tested, Klum’s was the only one with the defect, the mag notes.
The $220 stroller features a detachable car seat and is sold at Babies ‘R’ Us for kids up to 4 years old.
An online ad for the stroller on the Toys ‘R’ Us Web site encourages parents to “get rolling in comfort and convenience with the Truly Scrumptious Travel System by Heidi Klum!”
“Impact foam provides side-impact protection for baby during the ride,” it says.
“There is extra legroom in the car seat, as well as a best-fitting harness with padded covers and a cozy body insert for preemies to help provide a comfortable ride.”
But it may not be as great as it sounds, Consumer Reports notes.
“The test is done by pulling on the straps of the restraint harness on either side of the buckle to see if the buckle will either release or break,” said mag spokesman Doug Love.
“We do this in a test rig where we can standardize the test for the many strollers designs,” he pointed out.
Love said the mag is not aware of any injuries caused by Klum’s stroller.
Roughly 75 percent of stroller-related injuries reported between January 2008 and December 2011 happened because a child tumbled out of his or her stroller, the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission reported.
A spokeswoman with the city’s Department of Consumer Affairs said she was not immediately aware of any injuries or complaints about the stroller.
A spokesman for Dorel Juvenile claimed the firm’s own testing and other independent testing proves the stroller is safe.
“We have no reports or complaints consistent with the findings described to us by CR staff,” he said.