Many parents choose to add rain covers to their prams as they are one of the best ways of protecting a baby against the harsh elements while still allowing them to enjoy the outside world. Generally speaking, rain covers are safe to add to a baby’s stroller. But, like any stroller accessory, it’s best to do some research.
Today, we’re going to be taking an in-depth look at universal rain covers. We’ll explore how safe they are to use, what to look for when choosing a rain cover, and provide you with all of the essential information you need to keep your baby dry and safe as you explore the big, wide world together.
Key Points
- Pram or stroller rain covers are a beneficial accessory for safeguarding and ensuring your little one is comfortable outdoors.
- Proper research must be done before buying a stroller rain cover.
- Selecting an ideal pram cover is crucial to balance protection, safety, and the baby’s well-being.
- Things to consider when choosing stroller rain covers include ventilation, visibility, and compatibility.
- There are safety elements to keep in mind when using a rain cover to protect your baby.
Content in this article:
- Are Stroller Rain Covers Safe?
- Do I Need A Rain Cover For My Pram?
- How To Choose A Safe Rain Cover For A Stroller?
- What Are The Dangers Of Misusing Stroller Rain Covers?
Are Stroller Rain Covers Safe?
Generally speaking, rain covers are safe to use on a stroller, and many have gone through rigorous testing to meet Australian safety standards. However, it is extremely important that you look into the safety features offered by a rain cover before you purchase one to protect your precious baby.
Many prams and strollers have built-in rain covers that are made from lightweight and safe plastic materials, and while it may seem unsafe to place a plastic cover over a pram containing a child, it’s actually the best way to keep little hands and heads dry. In fact, in a survey conducted in Australia, 29% of parents believe that pram covers should be made from plastic.
As with any baby accessory, it’s best to advise the manufacturer’s instructions for how to use each specific rain cover safely and effectively. By doing this, you’ll be able to provide your little one with reliable protection against adverse weather conditions while ensuring they are safe throughout.
Do I Need A Rain Cover For My Pram?
A rain cover is an essential accessory for your pram and something that every parent should invest in to keep their baby protected from rain, wind, snow, and anything else Mother Nature might throw you’re way while you’re out in the world.
There are, however, several things you need to think about when it comes to choosing a safe rain cover. We’re going to touch on these in more detail next but to sum up, your rain cover should be compatible with your pram, offer excellent ventilation, allow your child to see out (and you to see in), and have the appropriate safety certifications.
How To Choose A Safe Rain Cover For A Stroller?
When it comes to choosing the best pram rain cover for your stroller, there are a few important things you need to look out for. These include:
Compatibility
The first thing you need to be certain of is that the rain cover is compatible with your stroller model. This should be detailed on the product listing, but you can usually find this information on the manufacturer’s website if not. While this may seem like an effort to go to, it is really important you check compatibility as rain cover that is too big could compromise safety. Likewise, one that is too small will be pretty much useless when trying to keep your baby’s skin dry!
Material
Next, make sure that the rain cover you’re thinking of buying is made from a lightweight, non toxic material. Substances to look out for that you don’t want in your rain cover include phthalates and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), as these won’t be breathable enough and, as such, could compromise air circulation as your baby is covered.
Ventilation
It is essential that your baby has access to adequate ventilation when you’re covering their stroller with a rain cover. Ensure that the cover you choose has plenty of ventilation holes that allow the inside air to circulate constantly and prevent your child from overheating.
Ease Of Use
Your chosen rain covers should be easy to put on quickly when needed and take off when the rain has stopped. It should also have convenient access points, such as a mid-way zipper, that give you easy access to your child.
Visibility
It is super important that your rain cover allows you to have a clear view of your baby at all times too, so look for a cover that is made from a clear material. This also provides your baby with a view of their surrounding and ensures that you both maintain clear interaction during stroller rides.
Safety Certifications
Your chosen cover should also be fully safety-certified. There are specific requirements for this laid out in the Australian New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 2088:2000, and this ensures that all prams and strollers have specific safety labels that prove the requirements the cover needs have been met.
What Are The Dangers Of Misusing Stroller Rain Covers?
As with buying an accessory for a stroller, it’s important to be aware of the dangers that using a rain cover could cause. There have been cases of suffocation, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke in the past, and while these cases are very rare, it’s super important to keep these in mind.
Suffocation
Airflow can be restricted if rain covers aren’t used correctly, which will impair the ventilation inside the stroller and potentially result in suffocation through lack of available oxygen. More than that, restricted air circulation can also lead to increased humidity inside the stroller, which can result in extreme discomfort and overheating.
To prevent this, make sure that your chosen cover is made from a breathable material and has plenty of ventilation holes. Ensure, also, that you only have the stroller rain cover in place when it is needed, removing it as soon as the rain has cleared up.
Overheating
You need to be aware of overheating when using rain covers as well, as anything made from a heavy, non-breathable material will cause the temperature inside the pram to rise quite quickly. You should also make sure you never cover your baby’s stroller with heavy blankets, as this can trap heat inside.
This may be tempting on a warm or sunny day as you try to protect your baby’s skin from the sun, but it will likely result in overheating, which can lead to heat-related illnesses, such as heat exhaustion or heatstroke.
Instead, a light, breathable fabric such as a muslin wrap or cotton sheet can be draped across the pram, making sure there is plenty of physical distance between the fabric and your baby’s head. Better yet, use a sun parasol or canopy.
Check The Weather
To avoid the risk of both suffocation and overheating, one of the best things you can do is simply check the weather forecast before you head out. While rain covers dramatically reduce the risk of your baby getting wet, they do have their limitations, and if torrential downpours or strong winds are forecast, you may find that your chosen cover starts to fail you.
Consider different daytime temperatures, too. You can minimise the risk of overheating by scheduling your outings for earlier or later in the day when temperatures are typically cooler.
Final Thoughts
When used correctly, pram rain covers are safe and a valuable barrier for safeguarding your little one. The stroller rain cover should be made of transparent, non-toxic, breathable material with adequate ventilation holes that allow visibility of the baby. These features work together to create an ideal balance between protection, safety, and the well-being of both the baby and the caregiver.