10:55 AM CDT on Friday, April 29, 2005

Associated Press

WASHINGTON -- A Florida company is recalling about 1.5 million children’s folding chairs that can suddenly collapse and have caused fingertip amputations of four youngsters.

CPSC

The chairs can suddenly collapse and have caused fingertip amputations of four youngsters.

Seven other children suffered finger lacerations, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which planned to announce on Friday the recall by Atico International USA Inc. of Fort Lauderdale.

Defective safety locks can cause the chairs, made in China, to unexpectedly collapse or fold, trapping a child’s fingers in the hinges.

With metal tubing and padded seats, the chairs are red, blue, yellow and green and stand about 22 inches high. A label beneath some chairs bears the company name.

Hardware, discount department, toy, grocery and drug stores nationwide sold the chairs from September 2002 through this April for about $10 each or $30 for a set of four with a table.

Consumers are urged to stop using the chairs and contact Atico for a refund by visiting www.aticousa.com or calling 877-546-4835, weekdays 9 a.m.-5 p.m. EDT.