Oakley mum's toy bike safety concerns (From Basingstoke Gazette)
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Oakley mum's toy bike safety concerns
12:30pm Monday 15th October 2012 in Local By Emily Roberts, Chief Reporter
Evie Baker, two, and her brother Jacob, five, of Pack Lane, Oakley, with the toy bike from Toys R Us, on which they both had accidents
A MUM is calling on a major retailer to do more to encourage parents to take safety steps after her children were injured falling off a toy bike.
Samantha Baker bought the bike from Toys R Us two years ago for her son Jacob, who is now five.
Last year, Jacob fell off the front of the bike and split open his eyebrow.
Mrs Baker, of Pack Lane, Oakley, thought it was a simple accident and allowed her three-year-old daughter Evie to ride the bike.
But in September, Evie also fell off the bike and cut open her lip, damaging her two front teeth.
Mrs Baker has written a letter of complaint to Toys R Us to highlight her concerns about the bike.
The 37-year-old said: “The bike is very lightweight. Therefore, as soon as the bike hits a lump or bump in the ground, particularly at slow speeds, the child’s weight, along with the forward motion, means that the bike simply flips over and he or she lands face first.”
Mrs Baker has also asked Toys R Us why the bike is not sold with safety advice suggesting that protective headgear is worn, adding: “All of the product images show children riding without protective helmets.”
The exact bike Mrs Baker and her husband Aaron, 34, bought is no longer available at Toys R Us, but similar versions are still sold, including the Shark motorbike ride priced at £34.99 and the Disney Cars Moto Feber which costs £39.99.
Mrs Baker said: “Evie has been in a lot of pain and distress. It’s been a bit of a nightmare. The bike is going in the bin now.”
Mike Coogan, marketing director for Toys R Us, said: “We have written to the customer to say that this product has been on sale for two years and passes all European safety.
“We sold just over 25,000 units last year, and many thousands this year, and have never experienced this type of issue in the past. Whilst we are sympathetic towards the customer, it’s a very rare occurrence.”
Comments(11)
Folkestone Saint
says...
11:14pm Mon 15 Oct 12
Best_Name_Ever
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7:52am Tue 16 Oct 12
Buster Preciation
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8:26am Tue 16 Oct 12
W Wallace
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10:53am Tue 16 Oct 12
Sam_Walker123456
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12:56pm Tue 16 Oct 12
Buster Preciation wrote:Sometimes I think Buster writes his comments just to start me off.
Sometimes I think the Gazette publishes these stories just to start a debate. I don't think it will work this time as I don't think many contributors will side with Mrs Baker.
The Gazette has one main aim - to make money for its owners. How does it do this? By informing, entertaining, provoking, stimulating its readers and selling advertising space (incidentally, somethimes I think that companies only advertise to get me to buy their products and services).
Talk about stating the obvious Buster! Of course The Gazette wants to provoke debate. But I don't think it cares if the debate is one sided, as in this case, or not.
As for Mrs Baker, it is not her fault. She is 37 and has been brought up in a society which has not allowed her generation to think for itself or take risks. Of course she expects Toys R Us to do all the risk assessment in the same way as some people expect MacDonalds to sell coffee which is not too hot to drink!
Marina Morris
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1:26pm Tue 16 Oct 12
Buster Preciation
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2:10pm Wed 17 Oct 12
jonone wrote:That's a bit harsh on Mr Baker (if there is one). He's keeping a low profile in the matter and I don't blame him.
Mr & Mrs Baker - too stupid to breed, but sadly have done.
robertspet8
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2:39pm Wed 17 Oct 12
Buster Preciation wrote:Mrs Baker bought the bike with her husband Aaron, 34. How could I possibly know this?
jonone wrote: Mr & Mrs Baker - too stupid to breed, but sadly have done.That's a bit harsh on Mr Baker (if there is one). He's keeping a low profile in the matter and I don't blame him.
Sam_Walker123456
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3:29pm Wed 17 Oct 12
Since when could you trade in secondhand husbands for new toy bikes, robert? I need a new bike myself, do you think Halfords will take my brother as payment?
Folkestone Saint
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3:34pm Wed 17 Oct 12
Sam_Walker123456 wrote:They might if his name is Sterling or if it's a cheap bike Bob
'Mrs Baker bought the bike with her husband Aaron, 34.'
Since when could you trade in secondhand husbands for new toy bikes, robert? I need a new bike myself, do you think Halfords will take my brother as payment?
Trueblue46 says...
7:00pm Mon 15 Oct 12
I hate this blame everyone else society.