Using prams, strollers and carriers safely

Tipping over is the most common cause of pram-related injuries. Even the sturdiest pram can be in danger of tipping over if you hook heavy bags over the handles.

Runaway prams also cause injuries. When you stop, check that safety locks are secure and the brakes are on. Wriggling children can start the wheels rolling again, so keep an eye – and a hand – on the pram when your child’s in it. When holding the pram, it’s a good idea to use the safety strap.

Tips for pram and stroller safety

• If your baby falls asleep in the pram, either watch her or move her to her cot, where she can sleep safely without supervision.
• As your child grows and becomes more mobile, try to teach him not to stand up or lean out of the pram or stroller.
• Get into the habit of always using the safety harness – your child can fall out unless she’s strapped in securely. Let your toddler know that you won’t move off until she’s strapped in.
• To avoid tipping, the safest place for bags is underneath the pram (or, if it’s a backpack, on your back). Carry as little as possible in the carriage. Pillows, for example, can cause instability and pose a suffocation risk.
• If you can, avoid pushing prams or strollers on rough ground, over curbs and up and down stairs, as this increases the chance of accidents and can cause damage to a pram or stroller.
• Make sure your folding pram or stroller can’t collapse by double-checking that the folding mechanisms are securely locked into place.
• Put the wheel brakes on whenever you stop, even on a flat surface, so that a wriggling baby can’t get the wheels rolling again. When buying a new pram or stroller, ask the retailer if the model you are interested in meets the mandatory Australian Safety Standard AS/NZS 2088.
• See if you can get somebody to help if you’re lifting your pram or stroller onto buses, trains and trams. Hold the handles yourself, and ask the other person to hold the foot of the pram or stroller while you climb up. Similarly, when getting down from a height with a pram or stroller, it’s safer if another person can go ahead of you and grab the wheelbase first.

Safety tips for slings, baby carriers and baby backpacks

Carrying your baby in a sling, pouch or backpack gives you the advantage of having your hands free, and most babies like being able to see the world from up high. There are a number of things you can do to make sure your baby is properly secured and won’t fall out.

• Wear shoes that are easy to walk in, and look out for uneven surfaces so you don’t trip.
• Tighten the straps before you put him in, then use the body straps and limb restraints to provide a snug, secure fit.
• Your body heat and the carrier will increase your baby’s temperature – it might be worth avoiding going out in hot weather.
• Read the tags for height and weight, and use the right baby carrier for your baby’s size.
• Make sure you can adjust all straps firmly with one hand.
• Until you get used to putting your baby in the carrier on your own, get someone to help you. Some people find it helpful to practise with a doll or teddy before putting the baby in.
• Try to get in the habit of checking that the straps are still secure and show no signs of damage before putting your baby in each time. If any straps or buckles are damaged, contact the supplier or manufacturer.
• Take care when putting on and taking off the carrier, as this is when falls are most common. If you can, get somebody else to help you, or sit down on the floor.
• Your balance will probably be affected when wearing the sling, carrier or backpack, so hold on to something stable – like a pole – if you bend down or lean forward.
• Try to avoid using the stove or oven while your baby is in the sling – there’s a pretty good chance one of you will get burned.

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