About 450,000 infant car seats — 27,000 of them in Canada — are being recalled because their handles pose a safety hazard, manufacturer Evenflo said Thursday.

The recall applies to the Evenflo Embrace car seats made before April 8, 2006, with the model numbers 317, 320, 297, 298, 540, 548, 549, 550, 556, 597, 598 and 599.

The company said when the car seat is used as a carrier, the handle has been found to unexpectedly release causing the seat to swivel forward. An infant inside the seat can fall to the ground, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said.

Company spokeswoman Cheryl Pellegrino said the recall in Canada is being co-ordinated with Transport Canada.

The company has learned of 679 reports of the handles releasing, causing 160 injuries to children.

The product was sold in department and children's stores from December 2004 through September 2006 for between $70 US and $100 US. When sold with a stroller, prices ranged between $140 US and $200 US.

The company says the product can be used as a car seat when secured in a vehicle. Consumers should contact the company for a free repair kit.