Parents put a great deal of thought into their baby’s first stroller. Is it age-appropriate? Is it comfortable and secure? But even if you choose the perfect stroller, you can’t fully childproof the world around you. When it comes to stroller safety for kids, you can never be too careful.
Tragedy highlights stroller safety for kids
Even if you do end up choosing the best stroller, sadly, accidents can still happen. Take, for instance, the case of a Texas couple whose one-year-old was flung from a stroller after being hit by a car.
Reports say the baby’s parents were pushing the stroller across an intersection in downtown Houston at 1 a.m., even if the traffic light had not signalled that it was safe to cross.
The one-year-old is currently in critical condition. The driver of the car that hit the stroller didn’t appear to be intoxicated, according to authorities.
Just a month prior to the incident, a five-month-old baby in Virginia died after being hit by a car while on a crosswalk. The reckless driver had been sentenced to a year in prison.
Stroller safety for kids: What mums and dads should know
When choosing the best stroller for kids, make sure it is appropriate for their age and needs. | Image source: Shutterstock
If you are a new mum or dad, make sure that your stroller is safe for newborns – meaning, that it can recline. Your newborn baby has yet to learn how to sit up and hold their heads up without support.
Umbrella strollers and jogging strollers don’t usually have this function. So it’s best to wait until the age of six months before switching to these types of strollers.
Check for the following safety features:
- Easy-to-operate brakes. A good stroller has practical brakes and a lever that’s out of reach for the baby on board.
- A wide base. This provides ample balance, preventing the stroller from suddenly tipping over.
- Only one footrest. If a stroller has more than one footrest, your tot’s small feet can easily get caught in between them.
To prevent stroller accidents, ALWAYS keep the following in mind:
We hope these tips enlightened you further about stroller safety for kids. What important reminders would you add to the list, mums and dads?
Sources: KGNS TV, NBC Washington, Mayo Clinic
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