Stroller Safety Tips
Regardless of the quality of the stroller, you need to make sure your baby is safe at all times. Here are some easy tips to help you achieve this goal:
- It is important to stay close to your baby. You should not leave him/her unattended on the stroller. You should always be careful while hanging toys from a jogging stroller bumper bar. Toys should be securely fastened.
- Your baby’s harness and seat belt should always be buckled up. When you take the baby for a stroller ride, always fasten the safety belts. Engage the stroller brakes when you stop the stroller.
- Just like toys, you should store belongings properly. They shouldn’t hang freely from the handlebar. Hanging items can cause the stroller to tip over. While folding the stroller, you should be cautious. You need to make sure the baby is away from the stroller. Small fingers can easily get caught in the hinges. Before putting your baby in the stroller, you need to make sure the wheels are locked.
- During the summer season, you should keep the stroller out of the Sun. This may cause metal and plastic pieces to become excessively hot. In case you leave the stroller under the Sun, you should check the surface before putting the baby in it.
- Look out for recalls — these happen when several injuries or hazards are reported about a product. Examples include detaching wheels, collapsing frames, faulty seat belts, failing brakes, and risk of entrapment. The Consumer Protection Safety Committee regularly reports recalled products. This is a reliable source to review before purchasing a stroller.
- Jogging strollers are designed for bigger kids, not for newborns. Using an infant car seat with a jogging stroller doesn’t help either. Yes, there is a certain temptation to use a jogging stroller under 6 months, but we should follow the safety rules. Your child must be able to sit without support and hold his/her head unassisted. Parents who are eager to exercise with their babies under 6 months, can get a jogging stroller with a compatible newborn carrycot/bassinet. You still can’t jog with it, but you can certainly do weight loss walking and strollnetics exercises.
