Infant Walker Safety
Infant walkers may be considered to help babies learn to walk. Baby walkers can be safe under adult supervision, but a baby should never be left alone in one. Safety and baby proofing are always important around young children, but it is especially important when babies are in walkers.
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Information about Infant Walkers
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There are two types of infant walkers that parents can buy. The first is a push walker. This is a toy that has a handle which a baby can hold onto and walk, while supporting his own weight. The other type of walker is a sit-in walker, which has a seat that the baby sits in and wheels so that she can steer easily around the house. In this walker, the baby only needs to move her feet and the walker bears all the weight.
How to Use an Infant Walker
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When a baby is learning to walk, a push walker can be very helpful. The walker should be heavy to prevent tipping. Parents can help the baby to stand behind the walker and encourage him by standing in front of him across the room. Using lots of praise will help the baby learn that walking is safe and fun. Ride-in walkers may not be of much help in teaching babies to walk. Parents should always be within arms reach when a baby is using a walker.
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Hazards of Baby Walkers
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For safety reasons, parents must never leave a baby alone in an infant walker. Walkers should not be used around stairs, as the baby can fall and receive serious injuries. Electrical cords should be out of the baby's reach, and all outlets should be covered. Electrocution may be caused, if a baby grabs on to a cord while in a walker.
Baby Walker Bans
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Sit-in baby walkers have been banned in Canada. This is a result of many injuries from falls down stairs and from babies tipping in the walker and falling out against furniture or hot ovens. There were also many incidences of babies reaching harmful items, such as candles and household poisons. It is illegal for parents to even sell used walkers in Canada, and any owners of infant walkers are encouraged to throw them out. There was a petition to ban infant walkers in the United States in 1993, but it was denied. Walkers remain legal in the United States, but the ban in Canada is a cause for concern in many American citizens.
Safety Tips for Baby Walker Use
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Parents should be careful to baby proof the home, especially if using an infant walker. Electrical cords should be out of the baby's reach, and household hazards--such as alcohol or cleaners--should be locked away. Cupboards and doors should be locked with safety latches, and any sharp corners should be covered with padding. Breakable items should be placed up high, where the baby cannot reach them. Parents should not allow babies near hot items that could cause burns. Safety gates should block access to any stairs.
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References
- Photo Credit walking the toddler image by jimcox40 from Fotolia.com
