A pram or stroller is one of the most essential pieces of baby equipment any parent needs. They provide your little one with somewhere safe to sit and relax while keeping you hands-free and able to get things done. Whether you have plenty of errands to run, are going for a simple walk at the park, or heading out on a playdate, a pram is often a parent’s best friend.
But how can you use a pram safely? Below, we’ve explored this with helpful tips to ensure your child is always protected in their stroller.
Key Points
- Strollers are essential for travelling with your baby, as they offer them a safe seat while your hands are kept free
- Your child should always be secured in their stroller with a five-point harness, no matter how short the journey is
- You should keep your stroller clean to avoid dirt and debris affecting its safety
- Babies can sleep in their stroller while out and about, but you should move them to a safe sleep space when you’re home
Content in this article:
- How Can You Use A Pram Safely?
- How To Adjust The Pram Based On The Weather Conditions?
- Can My Baby Sleep In A Stroller?
- Is It Important To Clean And Maintain My Pram?
- How Can I Reduce The Risk Of Serious Injury While Using A Pram Or Stroller?
How Can You Use A Pram Safely?
Carrying a newborn around is often easy – they weigh almost nothing. But as your little one grows, carrying them can become quite a challenge (and a workout for your back and arms!). When you need to head outside with your little one, a stroller is the easiest way to keep them safe and comfortable. Luckily, most modern prams have ample safety features to protect your child while you’re out.
Below, we’ve detailed some of the most important ways to use your pram safely:
Look For Safety Standards Certifications
All infant prams, strollers, and nursery products should align with the Consumer Product Safety Commission. In Australia, look for the Australian standards label or certifications indicating adherence to recognized safety standards, such as the AS/NZS 2088:2013.
Never use a pram without these basic certifications. Prams without these will likely not meet the basic safety requirements, increasing the risk of them causing harm to your child. We’d even recommend looking for a pram that has been safety tested in a third-party lab for extra safety features.
Read The Manufacturer’s Guide
We always recommend you read the manufacturer’s guide for your pram or stroller. It will often feature weight limits and how to use it for different ages. Make sure you’re using the correct features and uses for the age and weight of your baby. For example, some prams don’t allow the toddler seat to be used until the child has reached a certain minimum weight or six months of age.
Safety Feature Functionality
Check all of the safety features on your stroller are working and free of any damage. A stroller’s most common safety features are the five-point harness, braking system, tether strap, wide wheelbase, strong frame, and canopy.
Before every use, we recommend that you check each of these features to ensure they will be effective if you need to use them.
Secure Your Child For Every Ride
We know how tempting it is not to use the five-point harness every time you use your pram. You’re only popping to the shop down the road, and your child prefers freedom without the harness – what’s the harm? Unfortunately, it only takes one bump in the road for your child to be in danger. So, always use the five-point harness to strap your child into their seat safely.
The straps should be tight enough to keep your baby in place but not so tight that they restrict breathing. You should be able to fit two adult fingers between the strap and your baby – if you can fit more than two fingers, tighten the straps; if you can’t fit two fingers between them, loosen them a little.
Lock The Brakes When Stationary
It can be easy to forget this vital step when out with your little one, but the brakes should always be locked when you’ve stopped moving. This allows you to move around the pram and check on your baby without the risk of the stroller rolling away. Ensure the brake is fully engaged before letting go of the pram or stroller handles.
This is especially true on hills and inclines. Prams can move quickly when no one is holding them, so without a strong brake, your child might be gone within a flash! We highly recommend choosing a stroller with a wrist strap to avoid being separated from your child.
Be Mindful Of Weight Limits
You have probably checked the manufacturer’s manual to ensure your baby is still within the correct weight limit for their stroller. However, many parents forget to check whether the storage basket weight limit is included. You should always consider how much weight is in your stroller’s storage basket and whether that will affect the safety features. For example, too much weight in the storage compartment might make the brakes less effective.
Child Safety
Consider your baby’s safety regarding environmental dangers when out and about. For example, on a hot summer’s day, make sure that the sun canopy is unfolded and offers enough shade to cover your little one. Use the rain cover only to the manufacturer’s specifications, and ensure that any other accessories you use with the pram or stroller don’t interfere with your child’s safety.
Always Stay Attentive
Our last tip for using a pram safely is always to stay alert and attentive. It’s easy to allow your mind to wander on a walk, but you are in charge of your and your baby’s safety. You must always be alert to look for hazards and upcoming dangers.
How To Adjust The Pram Based On The Weather Conditions?
Using a pram safely often depends on the weather conditions. Using a pram safely in the summer’s heat is very different from using a pram in winter or rainy days. Below, we have detailed some important details for how to use your pram depending on the weather forecast:
Using A Pram Safely On Hot And Sunny Days
Using a pram in hot conditions can be dangerous if you don’t use the correct methods to cool your baby down. Prams are often darker colours and attract heat, so your baby can get warm quickly. We recommend using a stroller fan to keep air circulating throughout the pram while you’re out.
You should also use the stroller’s canopy and umbrellas to keep your baby in the shade as much as possible.
Many healthcare experts recommend not taking young children out in extreme heat, which can increase the risk of heat stress. Babies develop heatstroke much quicker than adults because of their inability to regulate their own temperatures. You should never leave your child unattended in a hot pram, as you need to monitor them to ensure they’re not developing signs of heat stress.
Using A Pram Safely On Rainy Days
Rain covers often come with prams and strollers, which will have been tested to ensure they are suitable for use safely in the rain. They’ll be made from plastic and should never be used on hot days, as they can trap the heat in and make your little one even warmer.
Rain covers should be used only when necessary to keep your baby dry and comfortable. Make sure you use them per the instructions and keep them securely fitted at all times.
Using A Pram Safely On Winter Days
Taking your child out in the cold weather is still possible with some modifications to your pram. Some prams come with foot covers and extra layers to attach to the seat to give it more insulation. Check the brand’s website for any added accessories you can add to keep your child more comfortable throughout your wintry walks.
Can My Baby Sleep In A Stroller?
Most children fall asleep in their prams and strollers, but you might wonder if letting this happen is safe. The good news is that most prams are certified safe for sleep. A safe sleeping environment is flat and firm, without materials that could create an entrapment or suffocation risk. Pram bassinets are safe for sleep, while toddler seats are safe if they can recline to a flat position.
However, it’s important to know that while strollers are safe for sleep while on the go, they should not be used to substitute a cot full-time.
When your child falls asleep in the pram, remove any toys or soft pillows and blankets from them. Always keep hold of the pram to prevent it from falling over, and check on them regularly to ensure their airway is not compromised. Their heads should always be lifted away from their chests, which is why the reclining seat is so important.
Once home, transfer your child to a safe sleep space (like a cot) as soon as possible. A cot is the safest place for your child to sleep, so you should always aim to have naps and bedtime within a crib or bassinet.
Is It Important To Clean And Maintain My Pram?
It is very important to clean and maintain your pram regularly, as this can help to ensure continued safety. Below are a few tips on how to maintain a pram:
- Wheels – Cleaning the pram wheels keeps them easily manoeuvrable and safe. It prevents them from going flat or affecting the grip on the floor. Take a soft-bristled brush and remove any debris from the wheels to keep them working effectively. Mud can also cause them to stick or slow down, so rinse them often as well.
- Chassis – Wipe the chassis down with warm, soapy water and a microfibre cloth to avoid dust and dirt clogging up the brake system, suspension, and more. Warm water can also be used to buff out light scratches.
- Seat – Washing the seat regularly removes bacteria and germs that could make your baby sick. Most pram seats are made from fabrics that can be machine washed, but check the labels beforehand to make sure it’s not hand washed only.
- Folding Mechanisms – Take a soft-bristled brush around all the folding components to keep them moving smoothly. This will prevent them from rusting, grinding, or becoming weaker. When using a pram safely, you don’t want any part of it to become weakened or fragile.
How Can I Reduce The Risk Of Serious Injury While Using A Pram Or Stroller?
In Australia, a study conducted by Vallmuur and colleagues on monitoring injuries associated with mandated children’s products reported that approximately half (51%) of pram-related injuries were for infants under one year of age, out of which head injuries accounted for 90% of hospital admissions.
Six pram-related deaths were recorded in the National Coronial Information System Victoria (NCIS) database from 2004 to 2014. This was due to infants not being supervised or left to sleep in the pram in combination with straps not being used, leading to entrapments, positional asphyxiation, and prams rolling down into rivers with subsequent drowning.
While using a pram or stroller, you need to keep your baby as safe as possible by always remaining with them, checking on them often, and ensuring that the pram is in good working order. The frame needs to be clean, and all safety features should be checked before you leave home.
Avoid overloading the pram with lots of bags and toys. Not only might the extra weight prevent the brakes and suspension from acting as they should, but toys and blankets could pose a suffocation threat to your little one.
Always use the stroller as intended, and read the manufacturer’s manual if you’re unsure how to use it safely. A pram or stroller becomes unsafe and untested once you start using it in other ways than the manual advises.
Safety Tips To Keep In Mind When Buying A Baby Pram Or Stroller
We have detailed some of the most important things to look for when buying a safe pram or stroller below:
- A strong frame and a secure lock for when the frame is folded
- A five-point harness to secure your child and keep them in place
- A UV-protective sun canopy
- A reliable braking system with a large foot pedal or hand trigger
- A set of tires for your lifestyle, such as off-road tires or urban tires
- A durable suspension system
- A large and wide storage basket
Final Thoughts On How To Use A Pram Safely
Safety should never be overlooked when it comes to your little one’s mode of transportation. Always look for safety features that protect your child from the elements, outdoor hazards, and any other dangers you might encounter.
Most prams and strollers on the market have been extensively tested to make sure they’re safe, so you should always use the pram exactly how the manufacturer’s manual recommends. Use caution when using the storage compartment, always make sure the brake is fully engaged before letting go of the pram, and never leave your child unattended in a stroller.