Prams and Strollers

This Topic Includes:
Do’s and Don’ts
Prams and Strollers factsheet - PDF

Babies and small children spend a lot of time in prams and strollers. Make sure you buy a safe product and use it safely.

Remember

• The safest child is a supervised child.
• A pram is for getting about with your baby. For a sleeping child a cot or bassinet is best.

Buying a pram or stroller

Babies and small children spend a lot of time in prams and strollers. Make sure you make the best choice.

Check that:

• the pram or stroller meets a standard – the most common is AS/NZS 2088:2000
• there are two locking devices to prevent folding
• the brakes work properly
• instructions are included and you follow them
• the harness provided will firmly restrain your child - a five point harness is best
• there are no sharp edges or open tubes
• removable pieces can be fastened securely
• fabric and linings fit snugly and do not contain gaps or hidden pockets that baby can get trapped in.

Do’s and Don’ts

DO

• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
• Properly secure all fastenings after washing fabric or after changing seat position.
• Check that the brakes work well and that they are on when pram is not moving.
• Make sure both locking devices (which prevent the pram folding) are in place before putting your child in the pram - there should always be at least two locking devices.
• Make sure the harness straps fit firmly.
• Make sure you use the harness all the time.

DO NOT

• Do not hang shopping over handles - this makes the pram unstable and it could tip over.
• Do not leave fastenings undone while pram is in use - you may have created a gap that your child could fall through or get stuck in.
• Do not allow your child to climb into the stroller unassisted, or play on it - it could tip over.
• Do not use a pram on stairs or escalators - use lifts whenever possible.

PDF of publication/Ordering publication

The Prams and Strollers factsheet is now available online in PDF format (81 KBs). Instructions for obtaining the Adobe Acrobat viewer.

The printed factsheet can also be ordered using our online Publications Form.