Baby Walker: A Step in the Right Direction
Posted on May 18th, 2009 in Articles, Parenting, Toddler
The childcare retail industry has been quick to take note of the fact that babies learn how to walk – there’s no other way of explaining the existence of baby walkers. It all seems like such a lucrative opportunity – but there are those who beg to differ from the claim that it’s a good idea to have one.
Baby walkers can be bought for under £20 at Argos. But prices vary considerably – checkout the counter at http://www.ciao.co.uk, which also illustrates the fact that it is but a myth that all baby walkers take the same form. Many also take the image of a vehicle (note also Thomas the Tank Engine ones etc.).
One thing about baby walkers is that they give babies extra speed when they attempt to walk (I have read that a baby can reach up to 1m / sec?). It is all the more reason to believe that there is in fact a greater risk of injury present – as if the higher hazard factor with regard to the surrounding environment wasn’t enough.
You should only buy baby walkers complying with BS EN 1273:2005 – the last four digits are the year the (more stringent) standard was approved, in this case, 2005.
Baby walker safety tips include: make sure both your baby’s feet touch the floor; avoid use near fires and stoves and if possible radiators; never leave a baby unattended in a walker; never use near steps; keep doors shut; to name a few.
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