Safety First Baby Walkers
Safety comes first – this should be the motto for any kind of gadgets, instruments, paraphernalia or toys, and the baby walker is no exception since it carries one of the most precious gifts you will ever receive – your baby.
There are different and various methods that parents can keep their baby safe while running or walking with the baby walker, both external and internal forces. For the external forces, parents can let the child play within the vicinity of their eyeshot. If the child is playing near the top of the stairs, parents can block that part of the house by nailing in a small gate so babies can’t crawl downstairs and hurt themselves.
Parents can also put in an extra accessory to the baby walker – by installing a horn or a sound noise in which parents can keep track of their babies’ whereabouts.
For internal forces, less accessory on the tray of the baby walker, the better. While most parents need as much accessory on the tray of the baby walker for activity purposes, it is still better to have less gadgets placed on it since babies are quite intrusive – they put in their mouth whatever their hands lay, or there might be a sharp edge to the accessory that you put on the baby walker, causing some harm.
As parents, try to decide which accessory is best put on the tray of the baby walker. After all, the main purpose of the baby walker – that is, for walking – should still be the utmost priority.
Baby Walker Safety
Baby walkers can be dangerous as they allow infants to move more quickly around the house and grab things normally out of their reach.
Their new mobility and added height can place your child in dangerous situations with access to bench tops and the potential to pull boiling kettles or irons down onto themselves, fall down stairs or reach open fires or heaters. A baby in a walker can also tip over on uneven surfaces.
Before you buy
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Check for compliance with the mandatory safety standard for baby walkers based on the US ASTM F977 safety standard for baby walkers.
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The safety standard requires baby walkers to have minimum levels of stability, an automatic braking system and safety warning labels.
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Check that warning labels about safe use are clearly displayed.
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Look for an automatic braking mechanism to prevent it being ridden over a step.
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Check that any folding mechanism latches securely and will not collapse when assembled.
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Check that there are no sharp edges or points or places that can trap fingers.
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Check that your child fits properly into the baby walker. Look for a baby walker with an optional locking device to immobilize the baby walker when required.
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Safety at home
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Never leave your child in a walker unsupervised. Your child in a walker should be within the reach of an adult at all times so they can prevent the child accessing hazardous locations.
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Do not leave the child in the walker for more than 15 minutes.
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Overuse of the walker can lead to developmental delays when the child is learning to walk.
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Baby walkers should only be used in a safe and flat area.
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Block off access to areas such as staircases, kitchens and fireplaces.
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Follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
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