Strollers are a fundamental tool of parenting to help navigate the world with your baby, acting as a convenient mode of baby transport for running errands, taking walks, or traveling. But they carry some concerns with widespread use. A report published in Academic Pediatrics found that between 1990 and 2010, almost 361,000 children younger than 5 in the United States were treated in emergency departments for stroller- or carrier-related injuries, which translates to approximately two injuries an hour.
The majority of incidents were falls or tip-overs, emphasizing the importance of safety vigilance. This in-depth guide to stroller safety touches on everything from how to read safety standards and use safety features to how to prevent common hazards, check for recalls, and teach older children about stroller safety. With the following tip in mind, parents will be confident that their baby is safe in any baby stroller, travel stroller or compact lightweight reclining pushchair – giving them peace of mind while enjoying the day out.
Safety Standards (Such as JPMA Certification) Comprehension
Picking a safe stroller starts with knowing safety standards. In the United States, strollers which meet the ASTM F833-15 standard must undergo brake, locking mechanism, as well as finger entrapment tests, among other tests and requirements, such as testing that the stroller will not fold while a child is in it. JPMA certification means a stroller has been tested by an independent laboratory and meets or exceeds those standards – and is retested annually to prove the manufacturers’ continued compliance. Parents can confirm a certification by finding the JPMA seal on the new stroller’s packaging or searching the JPMA Certification Directory.
Standard: ASTM F833 Updated to: ASTM F833-21 The ASTM F833 standard — which, as of February 2022, is the ASTM F833-21 — imposes performance requirements aimed at minimizing hazards such as tipping, brake failures and entrapment. For instance, it features tests for stability on uneven surfaces and makes certain harness systems hold children securely. While JPMA certification is not required, it’s an additional measure for peace of mind. Parents might also factor in their lifestyle — an urban family, for example, might want a lightweight travel stroller, while a family in the suburbs may go for an all-terrain model — but safety standards never vary by type.
Proper Use of Safety Belts and Brakes
Safety belts and brakes are integral to stroller safety to keep little ones safely in place and in place.
Safety Belts
Most contemporary strollers now include a five-point harness, the industry gold standard when it comes to safety, with tethers at the shoulder and waist, and crotch clips that go between the legs. This configuration distributes forces evenly and will not slip or fall in a sudden stop and/or upon hitting a bump. How to use the harness:
Always Buckle Up: Fasten your child in each and every time she’s in the stroller, even for short distances.
Fit to Succeed: Tighten straps so they are snug, but allowing two fingers to fit between strap and child’s body. Shoulder straps for infants should be at or below shoulder level; for toddlers, at or above.
Safety Buckles: Buckles are designed conveniently to use when buckle up and adjustable, it’s easy and effective to the warn children; Safe launching and releasing.
Brakes
Dependable brakes keep the jogging stroller in place, particularly on inclines. Look for strollers with brakes that can lock both back wheels, preferable with a linked system to engage them in a single step. To use brakes correctly:
Lock the Wheel When Stopped: You must always lock the wheel when the stroller is stopped in order to be sure your baby is under some control.
Test Function: Test your brakes before each use and to shut down.
Child safety: make sure the brake lever out of the reach of children, to avoid an accident.
You’ll want to make sure that you use these features properly, on any sort of travel stroller, or collapsible pushchairs so that you have a safe ride.
Preventing Common Pitfalls (Tipping, Finger Traps, Heat Stroke)
When used improperly, strollers can present a number safety hazards. These risks can be controlled when you are conscious and prepared.
Tipping
Falling over is one of the top reasons stroller accidents happen, and more often than not it’s because weight is unevenly distributed or the pushers attention is elsewhere. To prevent tipping:
Utilize Storage Baskets: Curb hanging heavy bags from the handlebar, which can cause the bag stroller to tip over, by using the under-seat basket.
Pad and Protect Entry/Exit: Never allow child to get in or out of stroller by themselves.
Opt for Sturdy Designs: Go for a stroller with a wide base so they won’t tip as easily on sidewalks or bumpy terrains.
Finger Traps
Folding hardware and moving parts can crush or catch fingers, endangering the welfare of children and parents. To avoid finger traps:
Fold Stroller Away From Child: Make sure stroller is fully open before attempting to fold.
Inspection of lock features: Check the lock to see whether it is locked, check the tightness of your locking mechanism and/or other devices to make sure they are functioning properly and are not subject to pinch points.
Periodic Checks: Visit the folding portion to prevent wire break and keep safe.
Falls and Strangulation
Fall and if small enough, strangulation are serious risks, especially to young children. A 2016 CPSC report warned that infants can become strangled in the leg openings of such reclined strollers when they are not harnessed, slipping through and left dangling. To prevent these:
Harness it: Make sure the five-point harness is always fully secured to avoid falls.
Monitor continually: Always keep the stroller in your sight.
Infant Location: Do not allow infants to slide through leg openings (most commonly occurs in reclined position).
Heat Stroke
Blanketing a stroller with covers to protect her from the sun can create a heat trap and potential for heat stroke. In Sweden, studies show that stroller temperatures reach 98.6°F within an hour while covered, even at an ambient 71.6° F outside. To prevent heat stroke:
Provide Ventilation: Don't cover the stroller with blankets; instead, try to use stroller with built-in canopies and ventilation.
Watch The Weather: Avoid using your stroller on hot days and dress little ones in lightweight, loose clothing.
Take a Peek: Keep checking for symptoms of overheating, like irritability or warm skin.
These remark on all strollers including strollers for travel and subject them to diverse settings.
Checking Recall Information
Even strollers that are certified can have post-market defects found that result in recalls. Recall Information The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has a searchable recalling database available here CPSC Recalls. Parents can search by brand, model or date of manufacture to see if there are any issues. For instance, a 2022 recall of Baby Trend Cityscape Travel Jogger Strollers involved the brakes not working, and a 2025 Fisher-Price recall focused on choking hazards in stroller toys.
When you register your stroller with the manufacturer, you receive direct alert of any recalls, or safety information. This is especially so for travel strollers or collapsible pushchairs which are used to great extent in several settings and where defects can become more apparent due to use and abuse.
Educating the Older Child on Stroller Safety
The older siblings can help to cause stroller accidents when not properly trained. Teach things like safety rules and develop a sense that they live in a safer place because of that :
One Child at a Time: “Use this advice one kid in the stroller at a time so the stroller does not overload or topple over.
No Climbing or Hanging: Advise children never to climb or hang on the stroller, because it may cause the stroller to tip.
Looking for a push: When older children push the stroller, be sure to monitor them so they can properly use the brakes.
Mind the Stroller: Reinforce that the stroller is not a toy and should be left alone to play with when it isn’t in use.
It’s these lessons that help ensure siblings stay enthusiastic about being safe when your child is a rider in either a standard baby stroller or a lightweight travel stroller.
Conclusion: Using a Safety Checklist
Children can stay safe with a stroller by making smart selection and doing as their best practices. JPMA-certified products origBy opting for a JPMA-certified stroller and using safety features properly, avoiding frequent dangers, checking for recalls, and educating older children, parents can greatly lessen the risk.inally placed at consumer risk Dosistewicz said. Here is what a safety checklist can look like for parents:
|
Checklist Item |
Action |
|---|---|
|
Certified Stroller |
Choose a stroller with JPMA certification or ASTM F833 compliance. |
|
Harness Use |
Secure the child with a five-point harness, adjusted snugly. |
|
Brake Engagement |
Engage brakes whenever the stroller is stopped. |
|
Prevent Tipping |
Use the storage basket, not the handlebar, for items. |
|
Regular Inspections |
Check for loose parts or damage before each use. |
|
Recall Checks |
Monitor CPSC Recalls and register the stroller. |
|
Supervision |
Never leave the child unattended in the stroller. |
|
Heat Stroke Prevention |
Ensure ventilation and avoid covering the stroller. |
Following these tips, parents can have the confidence that their baby stroller—best travel stroller, stroller car seat combo, foldable stroller or otherwise—is a dependable and safe piece of equipment for family adventures.
