Britax announces recall of Child restraints Strap replacement kit to be provided to all owners Charlotte, NC August 9 -Britax Child Safety, Inc. is conducting a recall of 4 models of child restraints that may not comply with safety regulations. The affected Britax models are all MARATHON (E9L06).HUSKY (E9L30), and WIZARD (E9L07) retraints, as well as restraints manufactured by Britax for Snug Seat under the model name Traveller Plus (E9L32). The recall includes the entire production of these models through July 23, 2004. No other model is affected. Extensive testing has determined that under certain circumstances , the adjuster strap may slip within the metal buckle that controls the tightness of the shoulder harness and may allow the harness to loosen. While occurrence of slippage is extremely rare, if it were to occur, in the event of a crash, the child may move farther forward than allowed under safety standard 213. This may increase the risk of injury. Noaccidents or injuries have been reported to date. Britax will provide consumers with a kit enabling them to fix the problem by simply replacing the adjuster strap. All owners of these restraints who returned a registration card will automatically receive the kit. The affected seats should not be returned to a Britax retailer. Until the adjuster strap is replaced, these restraint models are safe to use as long as the slippage is not occurring. Consumers are encouraged to test their restraints for slippage: -Pull on the shoulder harness without lifting the adjuster release lever (located on the front of the restraint under the cover flap) -If harness loosens, use of the restraint should be stopped until the adjuster strap is replaced -If the harness does not loosen, the restraint can continue to be used until the replacement adjuster strap is received Because slippage may develop over time during rpeated usage, it is important to check for a secure adjuster strap before each use. Even if the test shows the retraints are operating normally, all owners of these restraints are urged to receive and install the replacement strap. Owners of these models who did not return a registration card are urged to call Britax Customer Service at 1-800-683-2045 to provide information so they can also receive the replacement strap and instructions. Non -registered owners will need to provide Britax with the following information: Name, address, daytime phone number, model name, model number, manufacturing date, and batch. Model and manufacturing information can be obtained from the label affixed to the retraint. Britax has made manufacturing changes that resolve this issue in retraints manufactured after August 1, 2004. Consumers with questions should contact Britax at 800-683-2045 or visit the Britax website at www.britaxusa.com.