Maclaren, the British pushchair company that has recalled 1m of its products in the US after 12 children’s fingertips were amputated, has suggested parents should keep children at a safe distance when opening its pushchairs.

Farzad Rastegar, chief executive of Maclaren USA and the controlling shareholder of the brand, insisted that the brand was among the safest in the industry and the injuries were due to those in charge of the pushchairs failing to take proper precautions.