Baby Walker
Baby Walker Safety
Baby walker safety is very important and there are several issues that need to be considered.
There is a love hate relationship with baby walkers or walking rings as they are called in some countries. Most child safety experts don’t like them at all. For years, all I used to hear was that “… they are not safe!” The problem is, nobody could tell me why. I recently discovered that my daughter and her “young mothers” group knew nothing about baby walker safety.
On the other hand, when it came to my own kids, I thought baby walking rings were great. Thirty years ago there was nobody to tell me that they were a safety hazard.
One of the things that you need to remember, is that a child can , and does, propel himself at a speed of four feet (122cm per second) in a walking ring. There is no way in… (that nasty red hot place) that you will reach your infant before he crashes through the safety gate or your glass sliding door.
I seriously suggest that you consider providing him or her with a Bright Starts Around We Go Activity Station
pictured on the right. Your child will love all the wonderful noises and bright colors and will get to run around the table without being able to move away from it, thus giving you peace of mind.
However, if you are determined to buy that baby walker, here is what to do to ensure baby walker safety when your child rushes around in new found freedom:
Baby Walker Safety Tips
- Make sure that the baby walker that you choose has a stable wide wheeled base, preferably not less than thirty-six inches (92cm) wide. This will prevent your child from getting through the width of a door-way.
- Find out what the recommended maximum child weight is?
- A folding walker is very useful when visiting, but make sure that it has a good locking system. You don’t want it collapsing while your child is in it.
- The seat portion must not be detachable and should be made of a strong durable material.
- Do not pick up the walking ring while your child is in it. He could fall out.
- Your child is not ready for a baby walker if he is unable to sit without help.
- Make sure that there are no obstacles and that the floor is flat and firm (your lawn is not a good place). Electrical cords and toys lying around should be removed.
- Do you have glass doors? If they are not safety glass, have the glass replaced. You really do need crash-proof doors for your mobile infant.
- If there are stairs, make sure that access is solidly blocked. A gated stairway is not necessarily safe. Given enough momentum, your baby can crash right through the safety gates.
- Have a look around, get down to his level, are there any potted plants, electronic equipment, or anything else at all that he could possibly pull down on himself. Don’t just say No! Put your hand out and pull!
- Don’t forget, babies in walkers can also roll into fires and swimming pools. Be vigilant!
Babies do love their walkers and the chance to use and strengthen their legs. Just remember all the “baby walker safety” issues when buying the walking ring and the importance of keeping alert every moment that your toddler uses it.
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
i h8ave a 4 month year old and i had one of the walker i just took it out of the picture thanks to this blog my sons saftey is most important to me
Besides the fact that Baby Walkers provide babies with access to potentially dangerous places (such as the kitchen), scientific study also shows that Baby Walkers do nothing to stimulate a child´s walking abilities. It has, however, been shown that Baby Walkers can slow down the process towards walking. I have added a link with a recent consumer position in Europe http://www.anec.org/attachments/ANEC-PR-2010-PRL-010.pdf
In the interests of the child, there is no reason whatsoever to use a baby walker.