High chairs

High chairs: the basics

There is a risk that children can fall from high chairs when:

• there is no adult supervision
• safety straps are not used
• safety straps don't work properly.

A high chair is normally used by children between six months and three years of age so that they can sit and play safely and join the family at meals.

Before you buy a high chair

Look for a highchair that has:

• a wide base to stop the chair from tipping when a child is sitting in it
• a tray that can be adjusted and locked easily and securely in place and that doesn't expose holes to trap fingers when removed
• edges that are smooth and rounded
• five point safety straps – straps that go over shoulders, around the waist and between the legs ( or the capacity to have one of these fitted)
• tube ends that are sealed to prevent the child's fingers getting trapped
• locks on folding chairs that will stay locked under the weight of a child
• compliance with a British (BS), American (ASTM or CFR) or Australian/New Zealand standard (AS/NZS).

Using a high chair safely

Check the high chair for hazards

• make sure there are no splits in the chair's seat or back - a child could pick out and choke on pieces of foam padding
• make sure the chair is on a level surface - it could tip if one leg is resting on a rug
• place the high chair where a child cannot push with their legs against nearby furniture or walls and tip the chair over
• make sure electrical cords and other hazards are kept out of reach of a child in a chair
• never fix a hook on porta chair on the flap of an extension table.

Put the child in the seat carefully 

• fasten all straps
• make sure you don't trap the child's hands, fingers, or head when you raise or lower the tray 
• always watch a child in a high chair
• stop your child from standing in the chair or climbing in or out of it - it can easily tip over or the child could fall
• check that your child CANNOT reach the table with their feet in a hook on porta chair - the child might be able to get the chair off by pushing against the table.

Got a problem with a high chair?

If you have a safety problem with a high chair you can report it to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs.

Report an unsafe product.

Under the Consumer Guarantees Act you can get a refund, replacement or compensation if goods are unsafe.

Find out whether you can get a refund and how to do it.