Baby High Chair Safety

If your baby is ready to start solids, you'll be wheeling out the high chair for her. Knowing what makes a high chair safe and the proper ways to use one will let you focus on getting your baby to eat instead of worrying about potential injuries.

Significance

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, high-chair accidents involving children under the age of 5 resulted in 9,600 injuries in 2007. Falls are the most common cause of high-chair injuries. These accidents usually occur when safety restraints are not used or children are left unattended.

Safety Features

Check high chairs thoroughly whether they are brand-new or second-hand before buying or using them. Restraints should consist of crotch and waist straps with a buckle that can be secured easily. The tray should lock in place so that it doesn't slide or fall off. A wide base makes a high chair more stable and reduces the risk of tipping. Secure wheel locks will keep the chair in place while you feed your baby. Small pieces, such as caps, should not come off when pulled. Folding high chairs should have a locking mechanism so that they do not collapse. Examine these safety features often to make sure they are still in good working condition.

Safe Use

Always buckle your baby into his high chair. If he's not strapped in, he could fall or tip the chair over. He could also slide down and become trapped between the seat and tray. Never let other children hold onto the tray or climb into the chair, which could cause the chair to fall over. Make seat height adjustments before putting your baby in the high chair. Take him out of the chair if you need to move it or recline it. Avoid reclining the chair if he has passed the upper weight limit given in the instructions. Never leave the room when your baby is in his high chair, especially if he will be out of your sight. Place the high chair away from surfaces that he can push off of, such as walls or tables.

Recalls

Call the Consumer Product Safety Commission Hotline at [phone] or go to http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prerel.html to make sure your baby's high chair has not been recalled. If it is on the recall list, do not seat her in it anymore. Continuing to use a recalled product puts your baby at increased risk of injury. Contact the manufacturer for further details on getting replacement parts or repair kits.

Warning

Carefully inspect high chairs in restaurants before seating your baby. Avoid any that have broken restraints or other signs of damage. You might want to invest in a portable hook-on chair that you can attach right to the table to keep your baby safe and secure.

References

• Consumer Product Safety Commission
• Consumer Reports
• Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association