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Safety Tips
Whether equipment is purchased new or you receive someone's pre-loved things, consider how safe they will be for children. When buying equipment look for smooth, rounded edges, splinter-free timber and rounded bracing bars. Beware of folding items which can be dangerous if they collapse and fingers can become jammed in the folding mechanism. Strength and stability are also important factors.


Playpens
Playpens are very useful to use for short periods of time to put young children in while you are cooking or on the telephone. Alternatively, you can give the child the freedom to move around the room while sitting inside the playpen to iron or sew.
  • The space between the bars of a playpen should be 50mm minimum and 85mm maximum to avoid the child's head or limbs being caught between the bars.
  • Check that the playpen is strong and not easily tipped over.
  • Check hinges or folding parts where a child could potentially trap their fingers or clothing. Avoid dressing the child in clothes that have ribbons, bows and loosely crocheted features.
  • As a baby grows stronger or learns to crawl it may be necessary to fix the playpen to stop the child moving it.

Safety barriers
Door and stair barriers can be used to prevent young children falling down steps or stairs or to keep them out of an area containing hazards, for example in the kitchen when cooking is in progress.

Children can climb up stairs before they can manage to climb down. It is safer to encourage them to descend backwards on hands and knees before they are taught to walk down holding the handrails.

Stairways of more than 3 steps should be guarded, especially if the steps have sharp edges and if the landing surface is hard. A flight of stairs may need a barrier at both the top and bottom.

Most barriers available are only suitable for children under two years of age. When a child is tall enough that the barrier height reaches the child's armpits, it is possible for the child to lever him or herself over the barrier.

Ensure that objects near barriers are removed so that children can't use them to climb over the barrier. Barriers should be a minimum height of 600mm and must be securely (screwed or bolted) to the wall or door frame.


Prams, strollers
There are many considerations when choosing a pram or stroller. Ensure that it is comfortable for you to use as well as comfortable for the child.

Look for a pram or stroller with a full body harness which goes over the child's shoulders, underneath the crutch and around the waist. Check that the attachments are strong.

Brakes need to be easy to use and out of the reach of the child. Ideally brakes should be fitted to both wheels.

Do not overload prams and strollers. Choose one with plenty of storage area for bags and shopping. Hanging things on the handles could cause the pusher to tip over.

Check that your choice is an appropriate size, is easy to lift and carry and fits into your car.

Do not leave a child sleeping in a pram or stroller.


Highchairs
A highchair is suitable for a baby once she/he is able to sit upright alone. This is usually around 6-8 months of age. Often highchairs are useful until the child is two or three years old.

The highchair must be stable. Check that it won't be easily tipped over by a restless child.

A shoulder harness is essential. Check that the strap between the legs is secure enough to stop the child slipping under the tray.

Ensure that the tray cannot be lifted by the child because fingers may be trapped underneath.

If the chair is a folding design, check that it does not collapse easily. A simple design which is easy to clean is best.


Change tables
Change tables are useful when babies are young. However falls commonly occur, so care is needed when choosing and using change tables. Choose a table with a waist strap.

When using a change table, never leave the baby alone. Even a very young child can wriggle and fall.

To prevent limbs or a head being trapped, it is recommended that there be no gap at the top of change tables.

All edges must be smooth.

Check that the change table is sturdy. Sometimes it may be safer to place a sheet on the floor to change a child.


Babywalkers
The use of babywalkers for normal healthy babies is not necessary, nor is it recommended. They can quickly move babies into danger zones and cause many serious injuries.

Walkers do not help babies to learn to walk and can actually interfere with normal development.

Children cannot see where they are going or what they are running over.

Walkers tip over easily, especially on stairs or uneven surfaces.

Babies in walkers can move faster and reach higher that is appropriate for their age, putting them at risk of falls, burns and poisoning.


Clothing and footwear
Different clothing and footwear is appropriate for different activities. When playing, enclosed shoes protect children's feet. When sleeping non-flammable nightwear is a must, while a hat is needed in the sun.

Be aware that clothes with hoods, cords and ribbons may not be safe. When playing these things could catch on equipment and pull tight. Velcro fasteners are safer.

Closed-in shoes are safer than thongs. Rubber soles provide grip and help children to balance.

On sunny days hats are essential. Choose legionnaire style hats which have broad rims and provide good protection from the sun.

At the beach lycra sunsuits screen harmful sun rays and the lycra doesn't hold water.

When choosing sleepwear look for labels which indicate 'low fire danger' or 'styled to reduce fire danger'.