Strollers are a great way to move kids around. They may, however, not be as safe as your think. One study from Australia found that more nursery-related injuries involved strollers than infant walkers, high chairs, changing tables, beds, and infant exercisers.
In America, nearly 13,000 children, three years old and younger, are treated each year in emergency departments for stroller-related injuries. Half of these children are under one year of age. The head and face are the most commonly injured body parts. Luckily, most of the injuries are minor - only 2% of the injured children needed to be hospitalized.
Three-quarters of the injuries were due to children falling out of strollers. Strollers tipping over caused 11% of the injuries. That's around 1,400 injuries a year. Most of the tipping injuries involved young children. Since they weigh less, they don't offset the weight of loads placed on the strollers - particularly on the handles.
Another common injury, causing 8% of stroller injuries, is finger entrapment. Little fingers probe everything. Sometimes they get caught between two hinged stroller parts causing a pinching injury.
Parental education is key to preventing these injuries. Proper of use of restraint systems is critical. It's amazing how quickly a little one can climb out of a stroller seat and fall. Parents must also realize that it's unsafe to hang heavy items from stroller handles. These items make strollers unstable and lead to them tipping over.
Pediatrics, 11/02.
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