Buying nursery
furniture for your baby or your child is a big responsibility, as babies
and young children can get into hazardous situations so easily. One in
five injuries suffered by children in their first year of life is associated
with nursery furniture. Choosing the safest and most functional equipment
for your child is an important consideration. There are so many products
on the market and choosing the best one can sometimes prove difficult.
Aside from safety and performance, value for money and good looking equipment
are other factors to bear in mind. The following information will help
you choose the safest equipment available. Australian and overseas standards
have been referred to closely throughout.
Safety and injury prevention organisations
such as Kidsafe strongly advise that only nursery furniture and equipment
that meet Australian Standards (displaying the Standards Australia Approved
Label) be purchased.
Second-hand nursery furniture.
Buying or borrowing second-hand furniture can be an inexpensive alternative
to setting up your nursery with new equipment. However, it is important
to apply all the checks and tests described below. Any modifications to
furniture and wear and tear could make it unsafe.
However, it is recommended
that second hand nursery furniture and equipment not be used unless it
is certain that it still complies with Australian Standards. Also don't
use second hand cot mattresses as they may be unhygienic.
Maintenance of nursery furniture.
Furniture and accessories must he checked regularly for damage or weakness,
as normal wear and tear can cause it to become faulty and unsafe to use.
Make sure of the following . . .
 There are
no missing or loose parts.
Repairs
are made immediately.
There are
no protrusions, such as splinters and bolts.
There are
no areas where fabric or plastic materials are tearing.
There is
no rust or corrosion of metal or splitting timber.
There are
no torn straps or broken buckles on child restraints.
There is
no wear and tear on locking devices.
Babies and small children spend a lot of time in strollers
and prams, therefore it is important to choose one that is comfortable
and safe for your child. Injuries to children occur from unsafe design
features and incorrect usage of strollers and prams.
Injuries occur from children falling from
the stroller or pram, particularly when . . .
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The
child restraint is not used. |
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The
stroller or pram tips over when overloaded with shopping. |
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Entrapment
of the child's hand or finger in the frame or wheels. |
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The
stroller or pram collapses. |
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The
stroller or pram is being operated by another child. |
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Safety checklist
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Make
sure of the following . . .
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The
manufacturer's instructions are supplied. |
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There
are no sharp edges or points. |
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There
are no projections which could be broken off and cause choking. |
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The
brakes, safety catches and child restraints work properly. |
Performance checks
Push the
stroller or pram forward, and check that the wheels swivel easily and
do not lock sideways.
Apply the
parking brakes. Check that the wheels do not rotate when the pram is pushed.
Buckle
up the restraint and check that it does not undo easily when the straps
are pulled. Check that the restraint can be adjusted to fit the child.
Shake the stroller or pram from side to
side and from front to back to check that . . .
The locking
devices remain locked.
The !frame
does not fold up or collapse.
If the
stroller or pram, has a reversible handle it remains securely fixed.
The use
of a shoulder harness is recommended, when a child is no longer able to
he restrained by the waist and crotch straps.
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Safe use
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Children must
be supervised at all times. |
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Do not overload
the stroller or pram. |
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Avoid hanging
shopping bags from handles. |
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Always fit and
adjust the safety restraint correctly when in use. |
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When making adjustments
to the stroller or pram, make sure that the child is clear of moving
parts. |
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Babies under six
months of age should not be in strollers unless the backrest can
he adjusted to an angle of more than 130 degrees to the seat. |
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Take care if using
the stroller or pram on escalators. |
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Make sure that
all safety locks are positioned correctly to prevent the vehicle
from folding up or collapsing suddenly. |
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Make sure the
child's arms are kept inside the frame of the stroller or pram when
it is moving. |
Babies and small children spend a lot of time in cots, therefore, it is
important to choose a cot that is safe. Injuries to children occur from
unsafe design features and incorrect usage of cots.
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Injuries
occur from strangulation due to . . .
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Cords
or strings in or near the cot. |
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Clothing
pulling tight on protruding parts of the cot. |
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The
child's head becoming trapped. |
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Falling
from the cot, when the child attempts to climb out. |
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Entrapment
of the child's head or limbs in gaps. |
Safety checklist
Make sure of the following . . .
The manufacturer's instructions are followed strictly when assembling
the cot.
All edges are smooth and rounded with nothing sharp protruding into or
out of the cot.
There are no transfers, counting heads, or name tiles in the cot.
The cot is sturdy and will not collapse when being moved or used and the
base of the cot will not sag or collapse when pushed down.
The mattress fits snugly in the cot.
Check that the cot side can be securely locked and that it cannot be opened
by a child.
There should be no horizontal bars or decorations which could he used
to climb out of the cot.
Safe use
Place the
cot away from windows, heaters and power points to prevent injuries such
as falls, burns and electrocutions.
Large toys,
cot bumpers and hanging mobiles should be removed from the cot once the
child can stand, since these may assist with climbing from the cot.
Avoid having
small objects and food or drink in the cot which could cause choking.
Never use
electric blankets or hot water bottles for babies and young children.
Remove
plastic coverings from cot mattresses, and dispose of immediately.
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CHANGE TABLES,
BOUNCINETTES & PLAYPENS
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Change tables, bouncinettes, playpens and safety barriers
have also been associated with significant injuries.
Most injuries with change tables are due to falls from the table when
the child wriggles or rolls off.
Most injuries with bouncinettes are due to the bouncinette falling from
a height when placed on a table bench, freezer, bed or washing machine.
CHANGE
TABLES
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sure of the following . . . |
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The manufacturer's
instructions are supplied. |
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The changing surface
is made of strong material which can be easily cleaned, and is firmly
attached to the frame. |
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The change table
has a strap to help keep the child in place. |
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The sides are
raised to prevent the child rolling from the table. |
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There are no gaps
or spaces near the changing table. |
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The surface cannot
entrap a child's head or limbs. |
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The change table
is stable and will not collapse during use. |
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Safe use
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The child must
never be left unattended. |
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Use the restraining
strap to prevent the child from falling from the table. |
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Make sure you
can reach everything without leaving the child alone. |
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Hanging bags or
cloths from a change table can make it unstable. |
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If the unit includes
a bath, make sure the changing surface lifts away completely and
cannot fall on the baby when being bathed. |
BOUNCINETTES
Make sure of the following
. . .
The
bouncinette has a broad, stable base to prevent it tipping over.
There
are straps to secure the child.
Safe use
The
child must never be left unattended.
It
must always be used at floor level.
It
must never he placed on a table or any other raised surface where it can
fall off.
The
child must never be carried in it to avoid the risk of falling out. Stop
using it as soon as the child can sit tip or make vigorous movements.
PLAYPENS
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Make
sure of the following . . . |
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The playpen is
stable and will not tip over if a child leans against the side. |
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The floor of any
playpen covers the whole base area to prevent the child's head or
limbs becoming trapped. |
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The height from
the top edge of the playpen to the floor is 600mm or more. |
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All bars or slats
are vertical and the vertical space is between 50mm and 85mm
wide to prevent entrapment of the child's head or limbs. |
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There are no projections
on which a child's clothing could become caught. |
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When assembled,
none of the parts can be easily detached by a child. |
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It does not have
V-shaped legs on the outside, which could be a possible entrapment
hazard. |
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Where it has a
padded rim, it is covered with strong material to prevent the child
from chewing away the material and choking on lumps of padding.
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Safe
use |
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Make
sure of the following . . . |
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The playpen is
locked properly into position to prevent it collapsing. |
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Avoid placing
large toys and objects in it - a child may use them to climb out. |
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Remove
toys strung across the playpen, when the child begins to push up
on hands and knees, to prevent entanglement. |
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SAFETY
BARRIERS AND WALKERS
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WALKERS
You should consider carefully
the risks associated with walkers. They enable babies to move quickly
and expose them to dangers they may be too young to recognise.
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Walkers require constant parental supervision . . .
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Injuries
to children occur when they move into dangerous situations in the
walker. |
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Most
injuries occur before 12 months of age, and are to the infant's
head. |
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There
is no evidence that baby walkers are of any advantage to child development. |
Safety checklist
It is strongly advised by organisations such
as Kidsafe that you do not use a baby walker. Baby walkers
do not aid the walking development of very young children and each year
there are too many accidents causing injury, such as falls, attributed
to the use of baby walkers. While there have been efforts to improve the
safety of baby walkers, many children continue to be seriously injured
in them every year. Two thirds of injuries are associated with the walker
falling down stairs or tipping over (e.g. due to a small change in surface
level). A further 20% involve children getting access to hazards such
as hot drinks, heaters, irons or cleaners. Children can move quickly in
a walker - up to a metre per second. This increases the chance of children
reaching hazards before a parent can catch them. Also as children become
taller they can reach higher in a walker. Expert opinion is that walkers
do not help in a child's development and may even hinder it when used
for long periods.
However, if you decide to use a baby walker make sure of the following
. . .
The
manufacturer's instructions are supplied.
It
will not cause injury to a child by means of shearing or pinching during
use.
Metal
parts of the walker are free of rough surfaces and sharp edges, corners,
points and projections.
The
walker is of sturdy construction and will not collapse tinder the weight
of a child.
Safe use
The child must be closely supervised at
all times when in a walker . . .
The
child's weight must not exceed the manufacturer's recommended maximum.
Ensure
the walker is used on a flat surface free from objects, such as rugs,
electrical cords, tables and chairs that could cause the walker to tip
over.
Shut
doors and block access to steps or chairs.
Block
off stoves, radiators, heaters and fireplaces when a child is in a walker
and place other harmful items out of reach.
Make
sure that the child's feet can touch the floor when placed in the walker.
The
walker must not be carried with a child in it.
A
child who can walk unaided should not use a baby walker.
A
child who cannot sit up without assistance must not use a walker.
The
walker must not be used if it becomes damaged or broken; o the walker
should not be used as a push-along toy.
The
walker should be put away when not in use.
SAFETY BARRIERS
Injuries occur from . . .
Falls
from one level to another . . . in the majority of cases the falls occur
down steps or stairs.
Burns
and scalds from reaching hot objects such as oven doors, or pulling down
hot irons.
Poisonings
from reaching dangerous substances.
Safe use
Fit
the harrier strictly to the manufacturers instructions, ensuring that
it is held securely in the doorway or passage.
Check
regularly that it is firmly in position. Adult supervision is necessary.
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HIGH
CHAIRS & PORTA CHAIRS
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HIGH CHAIRS
A high chair is normally used
for children between six months and three years of age, so that they can
sit and play securely
and join the family at meals.
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Injuries
to children occur mainly from falls from the high chair due to .
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Lack of adult
supervision. |
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Restraints not
being used. |
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Inadequate restraints. |
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Safety checklist
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Make
sure of the following . . . |
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The manufacturer's
instructions are supplied. |
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The chair must
have an attached safety harness and a child must have the harness
fitted to them when placed in the chair to prevent falls out of
the chair by the child. |
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There are no sharp
edges or points which could injure the child. |
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The chair is sturdy,
with a wide, stable base to stop it from collapsing or tipping over
under the weight of a child. |
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An adult can adjust
the tray easily and it can be locked securely in place. |
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The chair has
a strap that goes between the child's legs to stop the child from
slipping out. The waist and shoulder straps are vital to stop the
child from standing up or climbing out. |
Safe use
The
child must be supervised when in a high chair.
Always
fasten the waist and crotch straps.
A
shoulder harness should be used when a child is no longer able to be restrained
by the waist and crotch straps.
See
that the hands, fingers or head cannot become entrapped when the tray
is raised or lowered.
Make
sure there is no foam exposed by splits in the chair's seat or back which
a child could chew or pull off and cause choking.
Do
not allow a child to stand or climb in or out of the chair . . . it can
easily tip over.
Place
the high chair in a safe position so that a child cannot push with the
legs against nearby furniture or walls and topple over.
Ensure
that the chair is used on a level, stable surface.
All
additional hazards, such as electric cords, should be kept out of reach.
PORTA CHAIRS
This type of chair is clamped onto the edge of a table.
Injuries can occur to children from falls, when a child pushes the chair
away from the table and falls backwards onto the floor.
Safety checklist
Make sure of
the following . . .
The manufacturer's instructions are supplied; o a safety
belt is supplied.
The support arms have rubber or plastic tips to improve the grip on the
table. If possible check the grip on a suitable surface.
There are no sharp points or edges which could injure the child.
Safe Use
The
child must be supervised when in a porta chair
Make
sure the seat and back are secure before the chair is used each time
Secure
the safety belt around the child; o make sure the rubber or plastic tips
are in place at the tube ends while the seat is being used
The
chair must not be used on centre support tables, lightweight tables or
card tables
The
chair should not be used for a child weighing more than the weight specified
in the instructions
The
chair must not be used as a car seat. It is illegal and unsafe for this
purpose
Make
sure there are no objects underneath or near the chair that the child
could use to push against and move the chair away from the table. |
