Baby walkers are very popular but also very controversial. Many parents and babies do like them because they tend to keep babies entertained. There are several different kinds of baby walkers, with the most common ones having a plastic base with a fabric seat containing legs holes for the child and a wheeled frame that allows the baby to scoot along across the floor.

However, there are also many safety concerns regarding baby walkers. Also, although many parents believe that the walkers encourage walking, there have been studies that show that baby walkers may in fact cause delays in walking by a few weeks. If you are considering a walker for your baby here are some baby walkers safety tips for you.

First of all you need to be certain that any baby walker you buy passes safety standards that have been set. Infant Walkers standards have been issued in the U.S. from the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Some of the safety standards include the requirement that baby walkers be wider than standard doorways and also come with gripping mechanisms which prevent the walker from going over steps.

Just be sure if you are going to buy a baby walker that it has passed your country’s safety standards. Look for a sticker or label to indicate this. Baby walkers that don’t come with this should not be purchased.

Make sure that the baby walker has a gripping mechanism or automatic braking so that the walker cannot ride over a step. Also inspect the walker to make sure there are no sharp edges and that there are no places where fingers can be trapped. A baby walker that meets safety specifications should meet these guidelines.

Also choose a baby walker that has a wide and stable base, with wheels that have a minimum diameter of 50mm. You should also check to be sure that your baby’s feet will touch the floor when they are placed in the walker. Another thing to keep in mind is that used baby walkers may not meet the new safety standards, so it is better to buy a new one.

A baby shouldn’t ever be left unsupervised and especially when they are seated in a walker. Babies should also not stay in walkers for extended time periods. This could potentially cause their walking ability to be delayed.

Anytime your baby is using a baby walker access to any areas that are potentially dangerous such as stairways, fireplaces, and sliding glass doors need to be blocked. Before using a baby walker it is critical that you understand the safety concerns and potential hazards that come with baby walkers. Be sure you follow all safety precautions when using them.