Our Top 10 Stroller Safety Tips For You And Your Baby

I’m sure you will agree that your babies safety is probably your number one concern from the moment they are born. With that being said, most parents will be using a stroller of some kind so in this post we will share our top 10 safety tips for you and your baby when using your stroller.

No matter what stroller you use, they should all be manufactured to a certain standard, however like with any product we use for our child there are always going to be some risks and dangers involved with their use. So

1. Strap Up

Makes sure you child is always strapped in properly, ensuring that your child cannot wriggle free but at the same time not doing the straps up too tight. As your child gets older they are more likely to try to climb out or stand up, so it is equally important to strap them in. By strapping them in from birth your child will be used to them by the time they are actually aware they are there.  This prevents them from falling out of the stroller and injuring themselves.

2. Check The Brakes

Always check the brakes are working before every trip you make. This should only takes you a few seconds to do, but for obvious reasons can mean the difference between a unnecessary and potentially serious accident.

3. Right size

Make sure the stroller you are using is suitable for your child. For instance some strollers are for toddlers only, so don’t be tempted to put a new born  baby in, and visa versa, as your child grows make sure the stroller you are using are suitable for their height and weight.

4. Wheel & Maintenance Check

Some strollers get a lot of use and can get thrown about quite a lot, so do periodic wheel and maintenance checks are a good idea to make sure your stroller is in good order and safe to use.. Some stroller have adjustable wheels so always ensure they are tight and properly secure. Also make sure all the catches, latches and buttons work correctly.

5. Don’t Overload

Some strollers come with plenty of storage space under the seats, so you should have space for everything you need. However, some of the smaller lightweight strollers, like the Jeep Cherokee sport stroller, have limited storage space so it is tempting to hang heavy bags over the handles making the stoller top heavy with the threat of potentially toppling over. Don’t do it under any circumstances as the minute you take your hand away from the stroller it will tip backwards with your baby in it.

6. Hot Drinks

A lot of stroller these days come with child and parent cup holders for easy access to drinks. Although I doubt any parent will give their children a hot drink, it might be tempting for the parents to  use their cup holders for hot drinks themselves. You might be partial to a regular caffeine influx but don’t risk the possibility of spilling anything hot over your child.

7. Sharp or Small Toys

Don’t let your child have any sharp or small toys in the seat with them. You can’t keep your eye on them at all time, especially if it is a forward facing seat with a good canopy, so don’t give them the opportunity to swallow or hurt themselves with small toys. This does seem pretty obvious but its tempting to give them things to play with when you are out to keep them amused or stop them crying.

8. Food Breaks

When out on long trips or family days out, there are times when you will probably let your child eat in the stroller. We would always advise to stop somewhere and sit with your child so you can eat properly while at the same time keeping an eye on your child whilst they are eating.This may seem like another obvious point but if you are out in a noisy environment it can be difficult to hear if your child is in need of help.

9. Never Leave Unattended

Never leave your child unattended and in the stroller alone. This doesn’t mean you have to be joined at the hip, but if you need to stray from your child for whatever reason, always make it sure you only leave them in the presence of another responsible adult, not child, that you trust 100%.

10. Stray Clothing

Depending on the time of year, and your climate you live in, you may use a lot more clothing and blankets to keep your child warm and safe. No matter how much you try long clothing and blankets can drape down and potentially get caught and wrapped up in wheels or framework. This could be potentially hazardous if a jacket they are wearing or a blanket they are wrapped in is pulled or jolted from them quickly.

So there you have our top ten stroller safety tips, as the safety of your child is of the utmost importance.

 

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