Stroller and carriage safety
Safely choose and use a stroller or carriage.
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Choosing a safe stroller or carriage
Strollers and carriages are a big part of daily life with young children. Pick a stroller that meets your needs and is safe for your baby.
Strollers and carriages are regulated in Canada for safety, but it's important to know what to look for when shopping for one and how to use them safely. Every year, children are injured when harnesses and lap belts aren't used correctly or a child has been left alone in their stroller or carriage.
It's important that your baby's ride is comfortable for them and easy for you to use and maneuver. When looking for a design that's right for you and your baby, remember to keep safety in mind too.
Follow these tips:
- Pick a stroller or carriage that feels sturdy.
- Follow the manufacturer's guidelines for your child's height and weight.
- Choose a stroller that comes with a safety belt or lap harness that is attached solidly to the frame.
- Make sure the brakes and locking mechanisms work well and that the wheels are attached securely.
- Make sure the stroller or carriage comes with instructions and a label listing the manufacturer, model and date of manufacture.
- This applies whether the item is new, used or borrowed.
- Before you buy, use or borrow a stroller or carriage, check the recalls and safety alerts database.
Using a stroller or carriage safely
Keep your child safe in their stroller or carriage by following these steps.
- Stay close. Supervise your child when they are in their stroller or carriage.
- Buckle up. Use the safety harness and lap belts, and make sure your child is seated properly.
- Use your brakes. Remember to use your brakes anytime you're stopped or when helping your child into and out of the stroller or carriage.
- Be careful. Make sure your child's hands and feet are out of the way to avoid pinching their fingers or toes when you adjust the stroller or carriage.
- Check for damage. Look for signs of damage and that the wheels are attached securely.
- Lose the extras. Do not use pillows or blankets as padding as they can cause suffocation.
- Read the instructions. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for putting extra items or accessories in or on the stroller or carriage.
- Don't hang your bags. Hanging purses or diaper bags from the handles of your stroller can cause the stroller to tip backwards. Your child could also get tangled in the straps and strangle.
- Take the elevator. Never use a stroller on an escalator or stairs.
- Make the move for safer sleep. If your baby falls asleep in your stroller or carriage, move them to a safe sleep space when you reach your destination. Sleeping in a stroller can put your baby in positions that makes it difficult to breathe.
Learn more about safe sleep and stroller bassinet attachments: