A baby walker is basically a portable device that babies can use to move from one location to another without their assistance. Modern baby walkers now are even for toddlers. They typically have a cradle-like base made of hard rubber with two suspension legs and a lightweight fabric bottom. Most of the time, the legs of the baby walker are adjustable. In this case, you will need an adult to help your toddler with the controls.
The walker has many practical uses, but it can also be a potentially dangerous device. In fact, the National Safety Society has actually recommended that parents give up using baby walkers because they are actually placing their infant at risk of electric shocks. This is because the electrical outlets of walkers can easily get overloaded or underpowered. This in turn can lead to a surge in the current, which can be fatal for the baby.
Many experts agree that while baby walkers can be convenient, they should not be allowed to hold your infant in them. They are an unsafe device when held next to power cords, beds, and other potentially dangerous places. Additionally, if the baby walker happens to fall off, the cord can become entwined with the leg of the toddler and could become a possible choking hazard.
Some experts feel that the best way to keep babies safe while they walk is to use a baby carrier. Baby carriers are designed to safely hold babies close to the body so that the baby can remain snug and safe. However, baby walkers can pose just the same dangers. If you decide to use a baby walker, make sure it is safely installed and can easily disconnect if necessary.
Most accidents involving baby walkers involve the use of stairs. This is not entirely their fault; however. These stairs have not been properly lit and therefore dark. Stairs with low ceilings and little coverings are especially risky for infants and toddlers. As a result, many tragic accidents involving baby walkers result from this hazard.
Unfortunately, it is not always easy to identify unsafe baby walker products. Most parents only consider those injuries which occur on the premises of the baby walker manufacturer. In many cases, this means relying solely on consumer product safety standards which do not distinguish between indoor and outdoor use. It can be difficult to determine whether the product which a friend holds is in fact a product which can cause an injury on the floor, or whether it is an otherwise perfectly safe walker that has fallen down the stairs.
The most effective way to ensure the general safety of baby walkers is to purchase one from a reputable company that sells only well made, safe products. There are several companies in the USA which manufacture baby walkers, including Rosemary International and Graco. Rosemary International was one of the very first baby walker manufacturers in the USA, and their products are still highly popular. The baby walker produced by Rosemary are designed to encourage infants and toddlers to stand up and walk, as soon as they can. Their seats feature a handle so that the infant can safely pull themselves up onto the seat using the hand railing.
By following the recommendations mentioned above, it would be easy for any parent to ensure that their baby walker did not result in an infant being burned or caused bodily harm. Infants are curious creatures and often get themselves into situations that can cause them harm. An infant walker with an automatic shut off would otherwise prove to be a much better choice for a parent, than one with a cup or hot coffee lid.