MINISTER PETTIGREW ANNOUNCES A BAN ON BABY WALKERS

News Release

2004-15 April 7, 2004For immediate release OTTAWA - Health Minister Pierre Pettigrew today announced the Government of Canada's immediate prohibition of the sale, advertisement and importation of baby walkers in Canada. "Canadians must know about the dangers posed to infants through the use of baby walkers," said Minister Pettigrew. "It is the safety of our children that is of the most vital importance and today I am pleased to announce that Canada is the first country in the world to ban the sale of these products. I would also like to commend those businesses who complied with a voluntary ban in the past." This prohibition also applies to the sale of baby walkers as second-hand items and so they may not be sold at flea markets or garage sales. Persons who already have baby walkers are advised to permanently dismantle and dispose of them. Baby walkers, also called infant walkers, are designed for use by children who are able to sit up, but not yet able to walk on their own. Health Canada has determined that these children do not have the necessary skills, reflexes or cognitive abilities to safely make use of these products. Due to safety concerns, a voluntary retail industry ban on these products had been in place since 1989. However, in recent years, more and more baby walkers have found their way onto the Canadian market and as a result, injuries to children continue to occur. Typically, incidents linked to baby walkers involve head injuries that result from falls down stairs. However, other injuries occur when the child in the baby walker is able to reach dangerous objects that are otherwise inaccessible. This prohibition has been implemented through an amendment to Part I of Schedule I to Hazardous Products Act, as published in Part II of the Canada Gazette. -30- Media Inquiries: Margot Geduld/Carole Saindon Health Canada (613) 957-1588 Sébastien Théberge/Adèle Blanchard Office of Minister Pettigrew Minister of Health Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Responsible for Official Languages (613) 957-0200 Pettigrew-Communications@hc-sc.gc.ca Public Inquiries: (613) 957-2991

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Date modified:: 2004-04-07

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MINISTER PETTIGREW ANNOUNCES A BAN ON BABY WALKERS

News Release

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