Baby walker safety
Baby walkers provide mobility for infants who are not yet able to walk. However, because they pose a high risk for injury to your child, as well as possibly delaying normal development, Health Canada, the Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS), and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) do not recommend their use.1, 2, 3
In Canada, the sale and import of baby walkers has been illegal since April 2004. However, since used walkers can sometimes be found at garage sales, Health Canada has issued an updated advisory about the potential hazards of using baby walkers.
If you allow your baby to use a walker, the AAP and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommend using only those labelled "ASTM F977-96" or "Meets New Safety Standard" because they are either made too wide to fit through a doorway or are equipped with a gripping mechanism that stops the walker at the edge of a step.1 These features help prevent children from falling down stairs, the most common cause of baby walker injuries.4
Also, consider the following:4
- X-frame walkers should have locking devices to prevent small fingers from becoming trapped in the spaces between the collapsing mechanism. All spring coils should have protective covers.
- To prevent tipping, all types of walkers should have at least 6 wheels.
In addition to equipment standards, keep your child safe while using a baby walker by:
- Closely supervising your child at all times.
- Blocking off stairs and doorways.
- Avoiding floor surfaces that may make the walker unstable and tip over, such as an uneven floor or edges of carpeting.
- Being aware of new areas that your child may explore. Clear away any hazards.
- Keeping your child away from stoves, space heaters, and fireplaces.
| Author: | Douglas Dana Debby Golonka, MPH | Last Updated: May 10, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics Thomas Emmett Francoeur, MDCM, CSPQ, FRCPC - Pediatrics | |
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