Strollers make parenting a lot easier, but they can also pose safety risks. With so many models on the market, it can be difficult to determine the most important features.No matter what model you choose, periodically inspect your stroller to ensure it is secure and stable. Some stroller safety features are federally mandated; others are optional, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they aren’t important.
Five-Point Harness
Stroller restraints should be adjustable and must fit the child snugly. A waist restraint by itself is not safe, as the child could slip below the band. The safest stroller restraint system is a five-point harness, which consists of one strap over each shoulder, one strap between the legs, and one waist strap from each side. All five straps connect to a buckle in the middle of their torso.A three-point harness, which includes the waist straps and leg strap but no shoulder straps, is also generally considered safe.
Childproof Buckles
A stroller’s harness buckle should be simple enough for an adult to open quickly in an emergency, but complex enough that a child won’t be able to unfasten it.Test all buckles before using the stroller to ensure you understand how to open and close them. Harness buckles should be fastened whenever a child is in the stroller.
Easy Wheel Locks
The most effective stroller brakes work by engaging mechanisms within the wheels to lock them in place. Avoid brakes that only apply pressure to the tires, as they can still allow for some wheel movement.Ensure that the brakes are easy to activate in case of emergency. Always apply them when the stroller is stopped.
Secure Wheel Base
A stroller should have a wide space between all wheels to prevent it from easily tipping in any direction. All wheels should be touching the ground when the stroller is on a flat surface. Check the wheels periodically to make sure they are not loose in their brackets.
Low Seat
The seat of the stroller should sit low to the ground to keep its center of gravity low and prevent tipping. Test the stability of the stroller by pushing down on the handlebar. If the stroller starts to tip backward when you apply light pressure, it is not stable.
Central Storage
If there is a storage basket included on the stroller, it should be located in front of the back wheels and under the seat. This way, when items are added to it, the stroller’s weight will remain balanced and low, ensuring its stability. Never hang storage bags from the push handle, as this can unbalance the stroller.
Reclining Seat
A stroller must include a reclining seat if you are planning on using it with an infant under six months old, because infants cannot hold up their heads.The seat should lie nearly flat when fully reclined. Alternatively, some strollers are designed with removeable infant bassinets or car seats.
Closable Leg Openings
If a stroller has a reclining seat, check to make sure it also has a way to close the leg holes of the seat — either fabric covers or footrests that rise to cover the openings. Leg holes that cannot be closed pose a serious danger to infants, as their bodies may fit through the opening.
Tandem Seats
When looking for strollers with two seats, opt for a model with one seat in front of the other. These are called tandem strollers. They are more stable than side-by-side models.If you prefer strollers with side-by-side seats, make sure there is only a single long footrest. Children’s feet can get stuck between separate footrests.
Weather-Blocking Canopy
Look for a stroller with a weather-blocking canopy to keep children protected from sun, wind, and rain. Some canopies can be adjusted so that the opening faces either forward or backward.Consider choosing a canopy with a plastic window that allows you to see the child while you push the stroller.