One of the greatest investments that parent make is to pick the right car seat for their baby. 5 percent of the time, according to a 2005 study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. This study claims that the parents who meant well subjected their child to a potential amount of harm by not restraining their child in a proper fashion. Problems were discovered in the looseness of both the safety belts and the harness straps. These mistakes, the ones that almost every parent makes, are the ones that the NHTSA say can be the most ‘critical.

{So how do you know make sense of keeping your newborn safe?}

Double check the age and weight requirements for the safety seat you purchase, as well as the positioning of the seat. Most infant car seats can be used in the rear-facing position for children under one year of age who have not yet reached 20 pounds. Infant-only seats are designed for younger, smaller babies, so they are a good choice for your newborn; they offer a good fit and are conveniently small and portable. Make sure your infant car seat is placed in the back seat of your car, and only in the rear-facing position.

If you prefer a seat that will accommodate your baby as they grow, a convertible seat is another option. Support needed by convertible seats is something that makes them larger and heavier. Infants, who are placed in the convertible seats, if they are under 20 pounds and less than one year old, are placed facing the rear of the back seat. Forty pounds is generally the maximum weight for children in the seats after they reach the 20 pound/1 year mark and start facing the front of the car. Whether you use an infant-only or a convertible seat, be sure to use it in the manner you’re supposed to. There are two reading pieces that should help you learn how to do use the seat properly: the manufacturer guide that came with the seat and your own car’s vehicle guide. Remember to double check the buckle that straps in the car seat and the restraints that hold the baby in place. Harness straps seem to be an area of particular difficulty for parents; for your baby’s safety, the harness must be in the correct slot position and fitted snugly to your baby’s chest. The slot position for harness straps will depend entirely on which type of car seat you have; slots go below the shoulder of the baby while in an infant seat, and above for convertible seats. Other things that matter in using the harness are the proper placement of the harness clip, around the armpit level (check the owner’s guide to confirm the exact placement) and having non-twisted straps.

Things to keep in mind about the seat belt are that many do not fasten them correctly; to avoid becoming one of those parents, make sure the belt is slid through the correct path and recline the seat by an angle of 45 degrees. Purely for security basis, a rolled up towel slid beneath the base of the seat helps. All seat belts should be tightly holding the restraint. Every car that has a LATCH system has special requirements, and those mean that the parent should read their owner guides, to both their car and their car seat, to make sure their seat is installed correctly. Other important facts to keep in mind are the general seat age and condition. As we have seen, manufacturer’s instructions are vital, so you should never buy a seat that doesn’t come with them; also do not purchase a seat that is more than five years old. Never purchase a seat that is missing parts or could have been in an accident already, no matter how good of shape it is in.

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When buying a car seat, parents want to get the very best item to protect their baby. Although parents obviously are putting forth the protection to keep their child safe, many are doing it incorrectly, as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration discovered that almost 4 in every five cases of them misused the safety seats they placed their child in. By failing to properly use the safety restraints, the study reports, many parents unknowingly put their child in peril. Typically, the biggest mistakes were loose harness straps and safety belt attachments. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration calls these misuses ‘critical’ because they can cause some of the greatest potential for injury.

{So how do you know make sense of keeping your newborn safe?}

Strive to get the perfect seat for your child’s particular age and weight and then make sure you put the seat in the correct position once you do. Children who are tinier than 20 pounds and younger than one year can ride in a rearward-facing car seat. These tiny seats are custom-designed for newborns; after all, they wrap around him or her tightly and allow the parent the ease of carrying the child wherever they need to go. The infant-only car seats should also always be placed in the back seat of the car, in the rear-facing position.

Convertible seats allow the safety seat to grow with the child. These types of safety car seats will not be tiny - if they were, they could not support the child as it grew. Again, weight and age are important when determining the proper position for the child’s seat; if the child is younger than one year and under the twenty pound requirement, the seat should be rear facing. Children should be placed in a forward facing seat once they reach the age and weight threshold, and should stay in one until they are 40 pounds. Always make sure that whichever seat you pick out for your child, you know how it is supposed to be used. Read the seat’s instructions and your vehicle owner’s guide. Two sets of buckles must be snapped correctly for the car seat to function as designed: those holding the baby in place and those holding the car seat in place. Of the critical components that the study by the NHTSA found, the biggest majority dealt with parents who did not have the harness strap in the right slot or fitting snuggly enough. If strapping the harness into a slot position in a convertible, the appropriate slots are above or at the shoulder; if using an infant car seat, the appropriate place is below. All seats come with a guide tell exactly where the harness clip should be located, but parents should always place it about armpit height and around straps that are not twisted.

It helps seat belt placement to recline the seat 45 degrees; always double check that your seat belt is in the right path for the position of the seat. A helpful tip is a rolled towel underneath the base. If needed, tighten the seat belt to make sure the restraint is secure. LATCH systems will require you to follow the exact details that should be listed in the vehicle owner’s guide and the car seat manufacturer’s guide. All seats must also be considered for general condition and age; the latter is particularly true if you are buying a used seat. Don’t use a seat that is more than five years old or does not come with the manufacturer’s instructions. Your seat may look great and be in otherwise great shape, but avoid purchasing if it is missing parts or has been in accident.

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What to look for when buying a stroller

Brakes: The effectiveness of the brakes and their engagement is vital. Look for rear brakes on both wheels that are foot-operated and linked, so the left and right brakes can be activated by a single lever rather than applied individually. Get an idea of how well they work by applying the brakes and then trying to push the handle. Check that they actively lock into position. Foot-operated brakes mean you don’t have to bend down, but make sure you can access them easily.

Harness: A five-point harness consisting of two shoulder straps (attached to the backrest at shoulder level), a waist strap and a crotch strap. The waist straps in particular should be securely linked to the stroller’s frame, so that the child can’t lean out and tilt the stroller. Give the harness a tug to check that the seat doesn’t pull away from the frame. The straps should be adjustable (allowing for growth) and the buckles easy to use (for you, but not your child).

Wheels: Look for front wheels that swivel to make manoeuvring easier, and that can be locked in the forward direction when travelling at higher speeds, over rough terrain or when parking on slopes. Large ones tend to be better on kerbs and stairs; pneumatic (inflatable) ones can puncture but generally give a comfier ride.
Dos and don’ts

* Never leave your child unattended in a stroller, and if it has a safety strap, put it on your wrist.
* Always engage the brake when the stroller is standing to prevent it from rolling. Brakes are coloured red on some newer models.
* Use a lift where possible, but if you have to use the stairs, take the baby out of the stroller.
* When at a train station, park the stroller parallel to the tracks with the brakes on and keep the stroller in view at all times. Travel in the carriage near the guard so they can make sure you’ve safely boarded or alighted.
* When jogging, always lock the front wheel of a three-wheel stroller into place to prevent the wheel swivelling.
* Be extra careful when talking on a mobile phone as you can easily not notice the stroller roll away – it only takes a second for a disaster to happen.
* Don’t attach a dog lead to the stroller
* Don’t overload the stroller with shopping or other items, especially around the handles. It can affect stability.
* If parking on a slope, park at right angles and lock the front wheel(s) in line if that’s possible. Apply the brakes carefully. Be especially careful on train stations, close to roads or water.

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Choosing a Stroller

Strollers and prams are involved in the most number of childhood injuries caused by nursery furniture. Injuries are usually caused by the child falling from the stroller/pram or the stroller/pram tipping backwards.

During the early years of life children spend a lot of time in strollers and prams. For this reason, it is important to choose items that are safe, comfortable and durable.  Injuries involving strollers and prams are usually caused by the child falling from the stroller/pram or the stroller/pram tipping backwards because it is overloaded. Although it is tempting to hang shopping bags on the handles, this can cause serious accidents.

Before you buy

• Decide what your requirements are. For example, do you need a convertible pram/stroller, does it need to fit in your car, should it be lightweight and easy to use?
• Choose a pram/stroller that complies with the Australian Standard (AS/NZS 2088). Look for a label or, if in doubt, ask the trader.
• Look for strong components that feel rigid and not rickety. If the pram/stroller folds up for carrying, make sure frame locks are operating properly and that it won’t collapse prematurely.
• Make sure the pram/stroller is stable.
• The pram/stroller should be easy to steer with solid and durable wheel components. Wheel locks must be effective.
• For maximum safety, choose a stroller or pram fitted with a 5 point restraint harness (ie a crotch strap between the legs, straps that go over both shoulders and a waist belt).
• Make sure there are no gaps that could trap small heads, fingers or limbs.
• Adjustable recline positions should lock securely and not fail.
• Learn how to fold and use the stroller/pram before leaving the store and make sure you have been given all instructions.
• Consider prams that have carry baskets fitted to them that will not destabilise the pram when they are full.

Safety when using the pram

• Read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Check all frame catches are locked in place and fabric fastenings are secured before use.
• Harnesses should be used from the first time a child is placed in a pram/stroller to get them used to being secured.
• Do not over-load a stroller or pram or create a tip-over hazard by hanging filled shopping bags from its handles.
• Avoid pushing loaded strollers or prams up or down stairs, over curbs or very rough ground. If you use a pram/stroller under these conditions, check regularly for damage.
• Ensure that you remove your child from the pram/stroller before making any adjustments as small fingers may become caught in the folding mechanism.
• Do not allow a child to stand or lean out of a stroller or pram.
• Do not allow more than the intended number of child occupants in strollers or prams. This could create tip-over hazards.
• Do not leave children unattended in strollers or prams as they could try to climb out. Other children may climb on and tip it over or push it into a dangerous situation. Do not use prams as a substitute for a cot.
• Babies under 6 months should not be placed in a stroller unless the backrest can be adjusted to an angle of more than 130 degrees to the seat.
• Ensure that your child is properly restrained in a harness.
• Do not overload the stroller/pram or hang heavy bags from the handle.
• Ensure that you remove your child from the pram/stroller before making any adjustments as small fingers may become caught in the folding mechanism.
• Do not leave children unattended in strollers or prams as they could try to climb out.

From the Council of Consumer Affairs

Choosing a Cot

Some things to look out for:

• Always ask if the furniture is made according to Australian/New Zealand design standards.
• Look for furniture that is free of rough surfaces, sharp edges, points and projections.
• Make sure furniture is sturdily constructed so it will not collapse under a baby’s weight.
• Test locking devices - they should function properly.
• Look for entrapment hazards - it is easy for small fingers and limbs to get caught in gaps, and head and upper body entrapment can cause death by asphyxiation. Fingers can get caught in holes or openings between 5-12mm; limbs in gaps between 30-50mm and heads in gaps over 95mm.

Babies probably spend more time in cots than anywhere else so it’s important their cots are safe. Most cot injuries are due to falls from the cot. Deaths have occurred when infants have fallen through or been caught in gaps sometimes found in old cots.

From the Department of Fair Trading
Choosing a High Chair

Injuries involving high chairs are mainly due to falls. Adequate supervision and the proper use of restraints will substantially reduce the risk of injury. Injuries involving high chairs account for 25 per cent of nursery furniture accidents.

Before you buy

• For maximum safety, choose a high chair fitted with a crotch strap (between the legs), straps over both shoulders and a waist belt.
• Check folding high chairs are stable and that the locks work. Ask for a demonstration.
• Before you purchase a seat designed to attach to a table, make sure your table is a heavy one and is easily able to support the seat without tipping over. Make sure that slip-resistant mounting devices are in good condition.
• If you are buying a second hand high chair that doesn’t have a harness, buy a shoulder harness separately.

Safety at home

• Use the shoulder harness and/or crotch strap daily from the very beginning and your baby will grow to accept it. Make sure it is fitted every time.
• Never leave your child unattended in a high chair. If you need to leave the room, take your child with you.
• Ensure the high chair is at least 500mm away from windows, unsecured doorways, stoves, appliance cords, curtains or blind cords.
• Attend to loose nuts and broken parts as soon as you find them.
• Repair any torn seats before the foam padding is exposed as babies can choke on it.
• Do not allow a child to stand up in a high chair or climb into or out of it unassisted as the chair may become unstable.
• Make sure that hands are free from moving parts when the tray is raised and lowered.
• Make sure a child cannot push against a vertical surface (such as a wall or cupboards) and push the chair over.
• Put high chairs out of reach when not in use.
• For maximum safety, choose a high chair fitted with a crotch strap (between the legs), straps over both shoulders and a waist belt.
• Check folding high chairs cannot accidentally collapse during use.
• Before you purchase a table mounted high chair make sure your table is able to support it. Make sure that slip-resistant mounting devices are in good condition.
• Never leave your child unattended in a high chair.

From the Council of Consumer Affairs

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Baby strollers

Dorel Juvenile Group USA, of Columbus, Ind., is recalling 300,000 Cosco “Rock’N Roller” baby strollers because the seat can partially detach from the frame during use if the stop pins are bent or missing or the seat is not fully attached. The infant then can be injured in a fall.

Seventy-seven incidents and injuries have been reported, including a slight concussion, a cut requiring stitches, and bumps and bruises.

The recalled strollers are model numbers 01-654, 01-622, 01-624, 01-646 and 01-656, which can be found on the label on the back of the frame. They have seats that can be removed from the stroller frame and can function as a bassinet, or be repositioned on the stroller frame facing front or back. The strollers were sold at children’s toy and furniture stores, such as Wal-Mart, Kmart, Sears, Toys R Us, Target, JC Penney and Service Merchandise nationwide from April 1996 through August 2002 for $79 to $179.

Consumers should stop using the recalled strollers with detachable seats. To determine how to inspect the stroller for possible replacement, contact the firm at (800) 711-0402, visit www.djgusa.com or e-mail rnr@djgusa.com.

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