High Chairs

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.

Children can fall from high chairs when:

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

When buying, look for

• Information indicating compliance with a British (BS), American (ASTM or CFR) or Australian/New Zealand standard (AS/NZS)
• 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.

At home

• fasten all straps
• 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 you don't trap the child's hands, fingers, or head when you raise or lower the tray
• 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
• 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 can 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
• never fix a hook on porta chair on the flap of an extension table.