Hands Free Gate Item #: Y3600D2 baby gates

The reports, as CPSC published them

1. No one hurt

   Made Jul 14, 2011 · , published by CPSC Aug 5, 2011

   The product, in the report: http://www.thefirstyears.com/product/detail/Y3600D2?locale=en_US The first Years Hands Free Gate Features include: -foot-pedal operated -gate swings open in both directions - fits openings 29” to 34” and up to 39” with one extension and 44” with two extension kits (sold separately) -this gate is not intended for use at the top of stairs -for use from 6 to 24 months -pressure-mounted design that won’t mark walls or doorway -audible click indicates safety gate has locked.

   ProductName : The First Years Hands Free Gate Item Number : Item #: Y3600D2

   Dear Sir/Madam

   My husband and I purchased The First Years hands free baby gate and for the last two months it seemed to be operating fine however this morning I was aware that my 9mth daughter was out of her room and I was sure that I had locked the baby gate when I put her into play. When I put her back in I noticed that the pedal had been pushed upwards. I pushed it back down firmly until it clicked into place and I put her back in her room. However this time I stayed just out of sight and watched. I could hardly believe it when I saw my daughter jam her rattle under the pedal, dislodge it and open the gate and exit the room.

   At first I thought we might be missing a part but I went over the online instructions a number of times and everything looked right. I then approached the manufacturers Tomy USA and asked them for guidance because I can’t get a refund because technically there isn’t anything wrong with the gate it is a design flaw, this was their response:

   “On Thu, Jul 14, 2011 at 3:40 AM, [REDACTED], wrote:

   [REDACTED], Hi, sorry to hear about the problem you are experiencing. If you feel the gate is faulty please take it back to store. I have not heard of the problem before. Have a great day! TOMY/formerly Learning Curve Brands Consumer Services [REDACTED],

   [REDACTED] claims the company hasn’t heard of the problem before however it took me minutes on an internet search to identify at least three cases that relate to this gate and one of them definitely contacted the manufacturer as well.

   NOT a baby gate!, September 11, 2005 By [REDACTED] - See all my reviews This review is from: The First Years Hands Free Gate (Baby Product) (REAL NAME)

   This gate was great for a barrier gate for my school age kids and for a temporay gate for our baby. It would be good for pets. However, when my baby turned 12 months he figured how to take off the foot press, when he applied a little pressure to the gate without the foot press the gate would open. Therefor, he was free to rome the house and we caught him heading head first down the stairs within seconds of pushing this gate open. This gate needs to be remodified! I feel bad that I have to be negative-- this is not our nature! However, our kids come first!!!

   15 month old pulls up foot pedal, March 7, 2005 Proud Grandma “[REDACTED]” (Virginia, USA) - See all my reviews This review is from: The First Years Hands Free Gate (Baby Product)

   Our 15 month old grandson is able to pull up on the foot pedal and remove it, then push the gate open. The First Years company has indicated we need to replace the foot pedal but is not broken, just easy to pull up and remove. We had no idea it was that easy until he did it. As grandparents who want to keep a toddler out of non-childproof areas, this product did not work for us and we would not recommend it to others.

   MY NINE-MONTH OLD OPENED THIS GATE - EASILY!, April 28, 2005 By [REDACTED] “[REDACTED]” (ELMHURST, IL USA) - See all my reviews This review is from: The First Years Hands Free Gate (Baby Product)

   WE USED TWO OF THESE GATES IN OUR HOME FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 WEEKS UNTIL ONE DAY MY NINE MONTH-OLD DAUGHTER SCOOTED OVER AND LIFTED THE FOOTPETAL - THUS ALLOWING THE GATE TO SWING WIDE OPEN. I CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER VIA BOTH PHONE AND EMAIL AND THEIR ANSWER WAS “THE FOOT PEDAL SHOULD SNAP INTO PLACE...A NINE MONTH OLD SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO OPEN IT”. NO KIDDING! BUT IT DOESN’T SNAP INTO PLACE AND SHE DID IN FACT OPEN IT VERY EASILY. THE MANUFACTURER THEN TOLD US TO TAKE A HAMMER AND BREAK OFF THE BASE THAT THE PEDAL MOUNTS TO SO I CAN MAIL IT TO THEM (AT MY COST) FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. THAT IS THE MOST RIDICULOUS THING I’VE EVER HEARD IN MY LIFE! INSTEAD, I BROUGHT BOTH GATES TO THE RETAIL CHAIN THEY WERE PURCHASED FROM AND SHOWED THEM THE PROBLEM - THEY AGREED THAT THERE WAS A DEFECT AND GAVE ME TWO NEW GATES FROM A DIFFERENT MANUFACTURER THAT WE LOVE. I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS PRODUCT TO ANYONE WITH CHILDREN. IT MIGHT BE GREAT FOR DOGS BUT I REGISTERED AT BABIES R US, NOT PETCO.

   Now these were at least three examples of my exact problem however there were even more examples of parents stating that their children had worked out how to operate the pedal themselves so they had to replace the gate for safety reasons.

   What was concerning was the flippant way my inquiry was disregarded my complaint as if it is of no concern that the company are potentially selling a “safety product” that is failing in it’s core function which could lead to fatal consequences.

   I realize I am not based in the USA however it is a US based manufacturer and I can’t in good conscience not escalate this because I would never forgive myself if someone else’s child is hurt through my inaction. I really hope that by drawing this to your attention there can be some minor adjustments made to the gate even a small pin above the pedal would help in preventing the pedal from being popped off.

   I hope you will be able to succeed where I have failed and encourage the manufacturer to take this matter seriously.

   Best regards [REDACTED]

   Bought from

   Mothercare

   Bought

   Apr 25, 2011, about then

   Where

   Singapore, Singapore: Home/Apartment/Condominium

   Who was involved

   Age 0, Female

   The reporter’s relation to them

   Unspecified

   As this report names them

   Brand Hands Free Gate Item #: Y3600D2, made or sold by Learning Curve Brands, Inc.

   How badly, in CPSC’s words

   Incident, No Injury

CPSC’s disclaimer

Sources