A baby stroller is designed to move around babies, so it needs to take care of all the safety aspects. That is the reason why all strollers released in the market follow the safety standards laid down by concerned bodies. While a stroller is safely built and is convenient for carrying your baby when going out, it can still be risky if you ignore the following safety measures.
In general, strollers by themselves are not hazardous products and have several safety features built-in. But when injuries occur, they can be quite serious.
As per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), falls accounted for almost half of all TBIs (Traumatic brain injury) in the United States. Other studies reveal that several babies have suffered head injuries in the past after falling out of strollers and carriers (both the wearable type and carriers with handles).
The injuries varied from minor ones to serious injuries. Bumps and bruises were the most common injuries (especially on the head/face). The more serious stroller/carrier-related injuries were concussions or traumatic brain injuries.
Head injuries are always bad, especially in kids, as they could have long-term consequences on cognitive development.
The good thing is that safety standards of strollers have increased significantly in recent years due to the stringent conditions laid down by regulatory bodies.
However, mishaps can still happen.
So, as parents, you should use the built-in safety features on a stroller and ensure you do not place heavy weight on the stroller which could cause it to tip over.
Make sure you the safety features every time your child is in the stroller or in the carrier.
While you may consider buying a used stroller, make sure it is not very old. Preferably, buy the latest strollers that come with better built-in safety features, they are are sturdy, reliable and safe.
Go for strollers with maximum safety rating (give it more priority over the brand name). Usually, the safety features co-relate to the price, so you are more likely to get what you pay for. It means you should avoid going very cheap.
So what kind of safety features are built in a stroller?
Use the Safety Harness
As per studies published by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the number one reason for injuries while strolling is caused due to the baby falling from the stroller.
In fact, half of the numbers of injuries are the result of falling and that is a big number. A close second is tip-over, mostly resulting due to the baby not restrained with safety harness.
In extreme cases, these injuries can be fatal for the child. However, you can avoid fatalities as well as injuries to the child by properly use the safety harness for your child.
Today, you won’t find any stroller that is without a safety harness.
The best strollers offer a 5-point harness with easy-to-use latching mechanism. So, make sure you use the harness at all times to keep your baby safe and secure.
Buckle up your child every time s/he sits in the stroller.
Keep Baby Away When Folding
While folding the stroller, ensure that your baby is not in the near surroundings.
In the past, strollers from top brands have been recalled following reports of fingertip amputations. There is a possibility that a baby’s fingertips can get pinched in the hinge of the stroller (while folding it) leading to serious injuries such as amputation.
It is always recommended that you keep your baby away while folding or unfolding the stroller.
Make Sure It is Locked After Unfolding
Unfolding is only half the job done. Make sure you hear the reassuring click sound that indicates that the stroller is fully locked and ready to use. When you don’t unfold without the click, the stroller may collapse with the baby’s weight causing injuries to the child.
Double Check the Parking Brake
Can you imagine the disaster that can happen if the parking brakes on a stroller are not applied or malfunctions? (the CPSC notes one report of a stroller which rolled off of a dock and into a bay)
In the past, there have been cases when parking brakes that appeared to be in the locked positions would release when bumped which led to dangerous situations.
You have to be alert while traveling in public transport or crowded areas such as a train station or a busy road.
Related: Stroller accidents – Why parents need to be careful near slopes, tracks, motorways
It’s a good idea to always shake the stroller a little to check if the parking brakes are indeed set fully.
Always remember to put on the brakes, every time the stroller is parked, or you need to rest your hands. Most even surfaces do have some slope/incline and the stroller could just roll away.
So don’t forget to apply the brakes, even on a flat surface so that your baby can’t get the wheels moving again.Lock the stroller wheels when you “park” it, prevents the stroller from rolling away unexpectedly.
Stay close to the stroller as much as possible
Even though strollers come with brakes, it is recommended that you do not leave the child unattended in the stroller for long. You should also train your older child to keep an eye on the stroller (if you move away for a while) but from a distance (no touching or pushing the stroller).
Use the Elevator
If fall injuries are dangerous, imagine what a fall from the stairs could do to your child. It could turn fatal. Falling may cause minor injuries to the baby to its face or head but a fall from the stairs is disastrous. The CPSC had reported an incident that occurred when a parent attempted to take a stroller with a child who was unrestrained and sleeping on a flight of stairs. Unfortunately, the child fell out, which was fatal for the baby.
Similarly, escalators are equally dangerous.
My advice would be to avoid taking the stroller on escalators or stairs and stick to using an elevator instead. Or you could ask for help to carry the stroller over the stairs or carry the baby in your hand while climbing up and down the stairs and have someone else get the empty stroller.
In case, you do not have an option, be careful while navigating stairs and escalators in malls. Balance the stroller on each step to prevent it from tipping over or slipping.
Don’t Run Unless It’s a Jogger
Standard size strollers are not designed for jogging and running activities. Even worse, they think it is ok to take their babies who are less than 8 months along with them.
For jogging, always use a jogging stroller and take the baby only once they have crossed the minimum age requirement that is specified by the manufacturer.
I often encounter parents who are confused by strollers that look like a jogger but are NOT designed for jogging.
So walk, don’t run, especially if the one that you have is a standard stroller; you could lose control of the stroller, or the wheels could break.
Check for Recalls
Before making a purchase, search the Consumer Products Safety Commission website to check for any product recalls. Especially in the case of hand-me-down products from relatives or friends, doing a check is mandatory.
The CPSC maintains a record of any active recalls, all it needs is for you to check on their website. You can also fo a search on the basis of product name which makes the search easier.
Read more on product recalls to see if any particular stroller model has been recalled for some fault fixing.
Regularly check the stroller for faulty or loose parts to avoid accident or injury.Regularly clean the stroller and also inspect the stroller, especially the wheels and brakes. The wheels need to be in good condition to keep your child safe with every ride.
Check the Position of the Cup Holder
Everyone loves their cup of hot coffee or tea. Some busy parents even carry it along while strolling with their baby.
While hot beverages can be placed in the cup-holder, make sure the cup holder is positioned properly in the stroller, and is deep enough so that the baby is not harmed in anyway.
Cupholders are usually shallow and some are dangerously placed above the baby. Due to any reason, if the hot beverage spills over on the child, it could cause serious burn injuries.
Also, make it a rule to not have hot liquids while pushing the stroller and do not balance your hot beverage cup in one hand and your baby in another hand, which is a sure way to cause accidents.
Don’t Hang Anything from the Handlebar
Do not hang anything from the handle-bar as it could cause the stroller to tip-over causing serious injuries to your child.
Tipping over is the 2nd most common cause of injury when strolling. Especially a back-tip is very dangerous and can cause injuries to the baby’s head since the baby is more likely to fall on their head.
When you hang a diaper bag or grocery bag on the handlebar, the weight of it could cause a head tip over. Sometimes even going up and down the curb could cause a tip-over.
As much as possible, keep things in the pocket (storage area) underneath the stroller to prevent the stroller from tipping. And always keep the child securely fastened when seated in the stroller.
Basically, all factors such as your baby’s weight, weight in the bottom storage basket, angle of terrain, etc could cause a tip over. If your baby weighs on the lighter side, there could be a tip over.
As far as possible, place all your bags in the storage basket instead of the handlebar. That will also even out the weight evenly across the stroller and cause stability.
Know the various parts & features of your stroller. Practice folding, unfolding your stroller. Use the stroller often until you are accustomed to all its functions.
Make sure your child doesn’t exceed the weight limit of your stroller or carrier. Strollers last for many years, but your child will become heavier as it grows and could become too heavy for the stroller to handle. So, do check the max capacity of the stroller.
Although secondhand / used strollers offer good value, try to know about its history of malfunctioning. Check if the essential components such as the seat belt, brakes and wheels are in good condition. If possible, opt for a new stroller that adheres to the latest safety standards.
Though most strollers take care of these, just to be on the safer side carefully check the frame of the stroller for sharp edges or pokey bits. In addition look for gaps that could catch toes and small fingers. Check the leg openings of the stroller; make sure that they are not wide enough for an infant to accidentally slip through them.
The best brands, however, have products that are tested for durability. They are lightweight, have good wheels, and covers to shield the kids from the sun.
Related: Putting blanket over Stroller or Car Seat in summer can be lethal
If possible, keep the carriers low to the ground, so even if the child were to fall (if the carrier tips over), the impact will be less.
Most strollers meet the federal standards so they do have adequate safety standards built-in. Buy strollers that are made after September 10, 2015, as they will have the recommended safety features built-in, such as structural integrity, hinges, seat belts, wheels, brakes, and latch locks.
Don’t try this at home folks, we’re professionals
Do not do a trial and error experiment to test a theory with the stroller. If you really want to test a stroller, please use test dummies to test the stroller strength or to see if it tips over. However, it should not be replicated at home with a real baby.
Related: Checkout more stroller features/functions and this detailed stroller buying guide
Here are some more things that may look silly but can be potentially dangerous for your baby.
Balloons and plastic bags can be a choking hazard, so never let your baby play alone with them. Also, avoid leaving plastic dry cleaner bags near the baby’s room because your baby might pull off pieces and choke on them.
Avoid putting magnets on the refrigerator door because if they break, the small pieces can cause a choking hazard.
Avoid stuffing too many large toys in the playpen, especially if you’ve an older baby, as he/she might use these to climb out.
Avoid putting solid foods, like cereal, in your baby’s bottle as it may pose a choking hazard. Never give your infant any small, hard foods, such as nuts, popcorn or raisins.
Never heat bottles in the microwave because the milk could get too hot and burn your baby.
Put stuffed animals or dolls, that hold cassette tapes, away from your baby when he/she has gone of to sleep (the tapes can pose a risk).
Avoid clothes that has loose ties or strings for your baby, because these could cause strangulation.
Avoid keeping loose (& heavier) objects in the back seat of the car, when the baby is in the car seat. If you apply brakes suddenly, the objects may fall on your baby.
When holding your baby with both the hands, avoid also holding a sharp object such as car keys in your hand, as it may prick your baby.
Never leave a baby alone in a parked car, for any reason.
Never leave your newborn baby with a toddler, even if they seem to be getting along well. Toddlers can unintentionally hurt the baby, as they are stronger & heavier compared to infants. Also, their nails could hurt the baby.
Same goes when you are out in the park or garden, and your baby steers towards toddlers who are playing games / football, as your child may get hurt.
Avoid giving crackers or other bread products to your baby all day, as they can fill your baby up, and can make him/her less interested in more nutritious foods.
Never put off decorating your nursery because you might not have time after the baby arrives.
Never leave your baby with someone you don’t know.
Safety performance specification for Carriages and Strollers.
In the past, several cases of injuries to children have been reported due to problems with strollers, and as such, manufacturers are expected to adhere to federal safety standards while manufacturing their strollers and follow appropriate safety and health practices.
Here are some safety performance specification for Carriages and Strollers:
You can read more on safety specifications here.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) identifies injuries to children resulting from: stability, brakes, restraint systems, latches, and folding mechanisms, structural integrity, cords, wheel detachment, and deaths due to entrapment in openings of convertible carriage/strollers.
CPSC tries to educate people about injuries resulting from defects in strollers, so that the strollers could be returned back to the manufacturer, or some repair work could be carried out (using a kit).
While every stroller manufacturer issues warnings and safety instructions with each carriage or stroller, parents are expected not to misuse their strollers.
You can contact respective stroller manufactures to know more about safety standards, and also visit cpsc.gov, jpma.org, astm.org, nhtsa.org for detailed standards and regulations information. Also, make sure to REGISTER your product after purchase to ensure you are informed about the latest updates or product recalls.
There are various types and models of Strollers, but before choosing one, make sure it has adequate safety features built-in. After all, who would want to put their child in a stroller that isn’t safe? So, make sure you get a steady & sturdy stroller, which is also easy to fold, and offers sufficient storage space. For every parent, the safety of their child is always paramount. So it is important that the safety features in a stroller is reviewed and researched thoroughly before purchasing it.
StrollerBoards is a family managed website with me (Ben) and my wife doing most of the work. We are proud parents of two wonderful kids and love reviewing baby travel gear. We have a firm but friendly “democratic parenting” style and offer several practical solutions backed by extensive research. Our own experience with raising two children prompted us to share our knowledge. Read more.
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