safety - nursery furniture
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We've included below some of the main points to consider when buying, borrowing or hiring nursery furniture or prams and strollers. Safe use is also important and there are some key points to consider in positioning and everyday use. We've also included links to further detailed information and brochure sources. To keep your nursery furniture safe, maintain and inspect regularly. Repair or replace immediately when signs of damage appear.
further information
- Keeping Baby Safe from the Federal Department of Consumer Affairs'
- Home Safety on the Parenting & Child Health section of the Child & Youth Health website, CYH, South Australia.
- INPAA's website - safety information developed by Kidsafe and the Infant and Nursery Products Association of Australia (INPAA)
Local Kidsafe centres also have information on nursery furniture safety. If you'd like to visit a local centre for more information and advice, click here for national contact details.
- ensure that the cot itself is safe:
- complies with Australian Standard AS/NZS 2172
- all locking features are secure
- the mattress fits with no gap wider than a finger width all way round
- there are no protrusions that clothing could get caught on
- there is nothing placed inside the cot that could cause danger:
- large toys
- cot bumpers
- pillows
- the cot is not placed near any potential hazards:
- power points
- curtain cords and mobiles hung too low
- windows
- heaters
- when baby starts to climb, replace the cot with a bed
The Queensland Government Office of Fair Trading have a one page safety summary available online here.
The Government of South Australia Office of Consumer & Business Affairs have a booklet available online here.
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) has also been attributed, in some cases, to infant sleeping conditions - including bedding and temperature control. For more information, see related section on SIDS.
prams & strollers
Below are some of the main points to consider when buying, borrowing or
hiring a pram or stroller. Safe use is also important and there are some
key points to consider in everyday use.
- safety considerations:
- prams should comply with Australian Standard AS/NZS 2088
- has wheel locks which are sturdy and strong
- has a 5-point harness with shoulder straps, waist & crotch straps
- a pram which is easy to collapse for taking in/out of car, but which locks firmly when in use
- personal preferences may dictate your final choice of pram, considerations such as:
- adjustable back-rest, new babies need to be able to lie flat, older children prefer to sit up and look around
- reversible handle that allows you to push from both ways to keep your child out of the sun at all times
- amount of storage space underneath the pram
- safe use:
- consider buying a sun & insect protection net
- don't hang anything heavy on the handle which could cause it to tip over
- never leave your child unattended
- always use the safety harness
- young babies should be placed in a lying, rather than sitting, position until they have sufficient head control
- upright strollers, without adjustable back rests, are not suitable for babies under 6 months of age
- ensure that change table is stable & in good condition:
- any locking mechanisms are in good order
- there are no gaps that could trap little fingers or limbs
- (there is no official Australian Standard for change tables)
- has roll-off protection, such as raised sides or a waist restraint
- the table is positioned away from any potential hazards:
- pins, lotions & bottles
- power points
- curtain cords and mobiles hung too low
- windows
- heaters
- you should supervise at all times - never leave a child alone on a change table; avoid
distractions, such as the telephone - consider taking the phone off the hook or putting
the answerphone on.
The Queensland Government Office of Fair Trading have a one page safety summary available online here.
Bouncers
ensure:
- bouncer has a 5-point harness that you use every time
- never change adjustable parts (such as back rest) whilst child is in seat
- use on level ground only - never on raised surfaces
- position well away from any potential hazards:
- electrical power points & cords
- heaters
- stairs
- curtain cords
The Queensland Government Office of Fair Trading have a one page safety summary available online here.
Toy Boxes
Toy box lids can cause very serious injuries if they fall on a child's
fingers, limbs or head.
- safety considerations:
- buy toy boxes without lids
- if box has a lid, make sure that it is lightweight & completely removeable
- the lid hinge should lock in place when fully open and close only slowly
- the box has air holes - in case child gets trapped inside
- safe use:
- keep toy box locked - but with a lock that a child could open from inside if they became trapped
- fit rubber stoppers on the underside of the lid so that it can't slam shut
Baby Walkers
A lot of serious injuries have been caused by baby walkers and their use is not usually recommended.
If you do decide to use a baby walker, look for one with good safety features.
- safety considerations:
- automatic safety wheels which lock when a change in floor height is detected (eg at the top of stairs)
- walker which is too wide to fit through doorways or stair openings
- wheel locking mechanisms which can't be reached by a child inside the walker
- safe use:
- only ever use under close supervision
- use away from stairs
- use on flat ground, never on raised surfaces
- put barriers around stoves, fires and heaters
- consider other toys or stationary activity centres to keep your child amused
- safety considerations:
- 5-point harness with straps (both shoulders, waist and crotch)
- wide, stable base
- no areas where little fingers and arms could get trapped in moveable parts (eg reclining seats and tables that move backwards & forwards)
- if it has wheels - can they be locked in place
- there is currently no official Australian Standard for High Chairs.
- personal preferences:
- easy to clean (food can get stuck in the creases of padded chairs)
- adjustable height
- folds away for easy storage or transportation
- safe use, always:
- strap your child in
- supervise your child
- position well away from any potential hazards:
- things on work surfaces / shelves (at least ½m is recommended)
- electrical appliances & cables
- cords on blinds/curtains
- hot drinks / saucepans on nearby surfaces
- walls that child could push on and topple chair
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