By: Tiny Heart Education

Are you buying a pram for the first time or looking to upgrade? While design can be at the forefront of most people’s minds - as parents, we need to ensure that safety takes precedence. So, before you head to the shops, make sure you read below to find out everything you need to know about pram safety!

Buying a Pram

Here is what you need to look for when purchasing a pram:

• Ensure that the pram meets the Australian mandatory standards AS/NZS 2088:2000 - you can find this on the Australian standards label
• Make sure it has a five-point restraint harness that goes around your bub’s waist and in between their legs

• Check to see that the pram has at least one or more parking breaks with a red brake lever

• Ensure that the pram has a tether strap that is both short and practical and that it does not form a loop with a perimeter of 360mm or more
• Make sure that the actual pram itself has a strong frame, is easy to steer and has a strong and secure footrest

• If your pram has a carry basket, check to see that it doesn’t tip or rock the pram when full. If you are going to have a carry basket, the best spot to pop one is in a central location underneath the pram 

 

Using the Pram

Now you’ve got the perfect pram, remember these tips for using them safely:

• Check the folding mechanisms to make sure that they’re securely locked into place and that your pram and stroller won’t collapse

• ALWAYS use the five-point safety harness. If your little one isn’t strapped in securely, they can fall out

• NEVER hang bags over the pram handles. Put them underneath the pram to avoid any tip-overs

• Whenever you stop, always remember to put the breaks on, even if it’s on a flat surface. The slightest amount of movement or wriggling can result in wheel movement
• If you’re near roads or railways, park the pram parallel so it can’t roll into danger
• Avoid pushing prams on rough ground, over curbs or up and down stairs If you have older children, make sure they don’t stand up or lean out of the pram
• If you have older children, ensure that they don’t climb over the pram. Teach them that only one person can be in a pram at a time

• If you’re using public transport, don’t be afraid to ask for help! Hold the handles yourself, and ask the other person to hold the foot of the pram. When you’re departing, ask if another person can go ahead and grab the foot of the pram first 

 

Important Things to Remember

• You should never use a pram as a substitute for a cot. If your bub is left to sleep in a pram, they can become trapped between parts and strangle or suffocate
• Never place pillows, cushions or bumpers in the pram
• Don’t allow other young children to push the pram without your help 

Injuries sustained from prams can include bumps and bruises, pinched or trapped fingers or even strangulation and suffocation.

To learn how to deal with pram injuries or emergencies, book into a Tiny Hearts First Aid course today. Our expert educators will teach you everything you need to know about bruises, bleeding, broken bones, CPR and more!

To view dates and to book, click here.