Changetable & Bouncinette Safety
Many babies are injured each year from falls from changetables and bouncinettes.
Injuries, including serious head injuries, account for about 25 per cent of all nursery furniture related injuries requiring admission to hospital. Falls commonly occur from bench or table height when babies are left unattended.
Changetables
There are benefits in having a suitably equipped work area to change your baby but studies have shown that there are risks that need to be addressed.
- Never leave babies alone on changetables.
- Have everything you will need to change the baby close at hand.
- Avoid being distracted while you change the baby.
- Take the baby with you if other pressing matters (like answering the door or telephone) occur.
Even a small baby can wriggle and fall from a changetable in the time it takes to answer the phone.
Changetables are convenient but not essential. A towel or blanket on the middle of a double bed or the floor is an alternative.
bouncinettes.
What can you do? Make sure:– There is some form of roll-off protection such as raised sides and ends at least 100 mm high is provided.
If there is a waist belt it should always be introduced and used from an early age;
there are no gaps or spaces near the changing surface that could entrap a child’s fingers, head or limbs;
no small objects that your baby could choke on are within reach;
the changetable is stable, so it doesn’t collapse during use.
Ensure collapsible frames are locked securely into place before use;
open pins and bottles or lotions or creams are not left where the baby can reach them;
Any loose or broken parts are attended too as soon as possible.
Most retailers offer a good range of spare parts; you read and follow the instructions and mail back the warranty card to the supplier. This will ensure you are notified of any safety problems at a later date; the changetable is the appropriate weight for your child;
If the unit includes a bath the changing surface should be lifted away completely so that it does not fall on the baby when being bathed; and you do not hang bags or clothes on the changetable that can make it unstable.
Bouncinette Safety
Injuries to babies in bouncinettes usually occur when bouncinettes fall from a table and other raised surfaces.
Bouncinettes should only be on flat level ground or floor surfaces because they can move around during use.
They can also be bumped easily by other children.
Stop using them when the baby can sit up unaided or make vigorous movements. Never leave your child unattended in the bouncinette.
What can you do? Make sure:
The bouncinette is positioned in a safe place and has waist and crotch straps to secure the child; never carry a baby around in a bouncinette;
The bouncinette is placed well clear of heaters and stairs, particularly when used on polished floors; there are no sharp edges or points that could injure your child; and the stitching of the bouncinette should be strong (particularly when buying a second-hand one).
Our thanks to the Queensland Department of Fair Trading for permission to use this article.
Disclaimer:– This fact sheet aims to provide consumers with a general understanding of their rights and responsibilities in the Queensland marketplace. It is not a comprehensive statement of the law. The laws referred to in this fact sheet are complex and various qualifications may apply to the provisions in different circumstances. You are encouraged to obtain independent legal and financial advice if you are unsure how these laws apply to your situation. While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained within this document, the Queensland Government disclaims all responsibility and all liability (including without limitation, liability in negligence) for all expenses, losses, damages and costs you might incur as a result of the information being inaccurate or incomplete in any way, and for any reason. © The State of Queensland (Department of Justice and Attorney-General) 2007