It is important to look for toy’s that make a noise, move and consist of different textures and colors.

At this early stage they like to listen to different sounds, follow movement and also squeeze and suck on everything they can reach.

It is very important that you always check any toys you purchase for parts that may come loose or stitching that might fray and choke you baby.

Most popular toy at this stage of your babies development:-

• Rattles,
• Hanging Mobiles
• Cloth Toys
• Soft Squeeze Toys
• Teething Rings
• Floor Play Gyms
• Small Stuffed Toys

It is important to once again select toys that aid in your child’s development and encourage them to explore their surroundings

During this time your baby will learn to grasp, pull themselves up, crawl, stand alone and start walking.

This is not a set timetable as every baby is an individual and will do things in his or hers own time when they are comfortable.

You can help their development at this stage by purchasing toys that encourage them to pull it apart and put back together also toys that are not too heavy for them to push or drag across the floor.

Toys suitable for children 6 to 12 Months of age:–

• Push and Pull Toys,
• Swings,
• Rubber or Soft Blocks,
• Pop Up Toys
• Big Balls,
• Stacking Rings,
• Dolls or Trucks,
• Pre Recorded Stories and Nursery Rimes.

Because at this stage they are at the peek of their curiosity they tend to get into everything and love any kind of physical activity that involves pulling or pushing objects around.

They also enjoy lugging little boxes full of goodies, building and rebuilding, exploring shapes sorters and getting the pieces to fit back into the holes, looking at picture books or scribbling on paper.

They also love music and anything that allows them to push buttons and make sounds listening to and learn Nursery Rimes and Fairy Tales many of which are available today on DVD.

The toys that appeal the most to this age group are action toys, cause and effect toys and challenging toys of which there are many to choose from and they also really start to enjoy outdoor activities which are beneficial for their health and development.

The most suitable toy 1 to 3 Years :-

• Push and Pull Toys (preferably ones which make a noise or music)
• Ride-Ons with no pedals
• Stacking blocks
• Simple puzzles
• Pop-Up Toys
• Shape Sorters
• Toys with turning/unscrewing/lock-key activities
• Musical Toys with Shaking/Banging operation
• Crayons and Paper
• For older toddlers, pretend play sets like garages, airports, doll houses etc.
• Simple Toy Vehicles – plastic

All Preschoolers love toys which look more realistic and require a greater deal of concentration and participation to play.

Role Playing is also more popular at this age as is making their own creations from either paper, play-dough or other materials.

At this stage many boys start showing interest in making model cars and trains or copying what their Dads do.

Girls on the other hand particularly love to play house and copy a lot of what they see their Mother doing from day to day.

Popular toys for preschoolers include:

• Ride-Ons – Tricycles and rocking horses
• Model building sets with large and few pieces
• Soft Baseball and bat
• Kites
• Dolls
• Role Play Equipment like household and cooking accessories
• Toy phones, cameras, kits
• Crayons, Magic Markers, Easels,
• Clay modelling
• Simple board games
• Interactive Video Games
• Interactive Computer Games

The main crazes these days with this age group are Action Figures, Computer and Video Games, Life like Dolls and Remote control toys.

It is not wise to bow at this early stage to their demands for the latest toys like all their friends have as you are only asking for trouble in the future.

Although you will suffer from more than a few tantrums and be told over and over again that you are the worse parents in the world.

This is quite normal you must realize that despite all the carrying on by saying NO you are teaching them values that will only help them to be more successful in later life.

Toys suitable for this age group are:–

• Bikes
• Skate Boards
• Fancy Dress
• Basketball hoops
• Cricket Sets
• Pretend Play
• Tennis Sets
• Board Games
• Craft and Art

Toys now need to be sophisticated as well as entertaining and educational.

It is important at this stage of their lives that they also keep developing their reading, math’s and social skills and also have fun learning about history, geography, science, and music.

All this can be achieved at home by purchasing good quality games that will assist them in the class room but are still fun to play.

Video or Computer Games that expand their knowledge of the world are great particularly those that allow more then one or more people to play at a time and include quizzes.

Selection of Toys suitable for this age Group:–

• Science Kits
• Educational Video Games
• Musical Instruments
• Electronic Learning Toys
• Kids Crafts & Art Kits
• Board Games like Monopoly
• Remote Control Toys
• Model building sets
• Golf Set
• Footballs or Soccer Balls

This can be another worrying time for parents but again it is up to you to draw the line and set values that will carry them into the future.

Most Teenagers these day have Mobil Phone, I Pods, Computer Games and assortment of Gizmos and Gadgets.

But you will find many in this age group still enjoy mucking around with:–

• Cool Science Projects and Experiments
• Weather Station
• Solar Projects
• Electronic Gadgets
• Lego Models
• Flying Large Kites
• Collecting their favourite Action Figures
• Crafts – Scrapbooking

So remember the next time you are visiting your family try and set aside at least one night where you Turn off the TV and spend some quality time together.

It is very relaxing and good for a laugh.

We always play games with the Grandchildren until its their bed time, if you have little ones they will probably enjoy:–

3 YEARS

• Dont Spill the Beans
• Ants in the Pants
• Original Memory
• Bunny Hop

4 YEARS

• Crocodile Dentist
• Don’t Break the Ice
• Hungry Hungry Hippos
• iPlay Jungle Animal Pinball

5 YEARS

• Jenga
• Tangoes the Puzzle Game
• Trouble Board Game
• Rummikub For Kids

6 YEARS

• Chomp
• Guess Who
• Scavenger Hunt for Kids
• Cranium – Triple Triumph

7 to 12 YEARS

• I Play Great States Card Game
• New Cadoo
• Cranium Squawkbox Bug Hunt
• Connect Four

Some of the Games our family enjoy playing are.

• Scrabble
• Trivial Pursuit
• Monopoly
• The Game of Life
• Mastermind
• Yamslam
• Who wants to be a Millionaire
• Blackjack/ Poker/ 500

• Baby Matters Recalls Nap Nanny(r) Recliners Due to Entrapment, Suffocation and Fall Hazards; One Infant Death Reported
  Infants can partially fall or hang over the side of the Nap Nanny(r) even while the harness is in use. This situation can be worse if the Velcro(tm) straps, located inside the Nap Nanny(r) cover are n …
• Near Strangulation Prompts Recall of Roman and Roller Shades by Smith+Noble
  The shades pose a strangulation risk to children.
• Pacifiers Recalled by Antonio Flores Due to Choking Hazard
  The pacifier fails to meet federal safety standards. The nipple can separate from the base easily, the pacifier handle is too long, the mouth guard is too small and there are no ventilation holes on t …
• Child's Death Prompts Recall to Repair Portable Playard Tent by Tots in Mind Due to Strangulation Hazard
  Clips that attach the tent to the top of the playard can break or be removed by a child. A child can lift the tent and become entrapped at the neck between the rigid playard frame and the metal base r …
• Pottery Barn Kids Recalls to Repair Drop-Side Cribs Due to Entrapment, Suffocation and Fall Hazards
  The cribs' drop-sides can detach when hardware breaks, creating a space into which a young child can become entrapped, which can lead to suffocation. A child can also fall out of the crib. Drop s …
• Tween Brands Recalls Children's Metal Jewelry Due to High Levels of Cadmium
  The children's metal jewelry contains high levels of cadmium. Cadmium is toxic if ingested by children and can cause adverse health effects.
• Daiso Recalls Children's Coin Purses and Jewelry Due to Risk of Lead Exposure
  The surface paint on the zippers of the coin purses and the clasps on the jewelry contain high levels of lead.
• Children's Jewelry Recalled by SmileMakers Due to High Levels of Cadmium
  The metal substrate in the jewelry contains high levels of cadmium. Cadmium is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects.
• Youth Tiara Recalled by Wilton Industries Due to Lead Exposure Hazard
  The tiara contains high levels of lead. Lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects.
• Simmons Recalls to Repair Drop-Side Cribs Due to Entrapment, Suffocation and Fall Hazards
  The cribs' drop sides can malfunction, detach or otherwise fail, causing part of the drop side to fall out of position, creating a space into which an infant or toddler can roll and become wedged …
• Million Dollar Baby Recalls to Repair Drop-Side Cribs Due to Entrapment, Suffocation and Fall Hazards
  The cribs' drop sides can malfunction, detach or otherwise fail, causing part of the drop side to fall out of position, creating a space into which an infant or toddler can roll and become wedged …
• LaJobi Recalls to Repair Bonavita, Babi Italia and ISSI Drop-Side Cribs Due to Entrapment, Suffocation and Fall Hazards
  The cribs' drop sides can malfunction, detach or otherwise fail, causing part of the drop side to fall out of position, creating a space into which an infant or toddler can roll and become wedged …
• Jardine Recalls to Repair Drop-Side Cribs Due to Entrapment, Suffocation and Fall Hazards
  The cribs' drop sides can malfunction, detach or otherwise fail, causing part of the drop side to fall out of position, creating a space into which an infant or toddler can roll and become wedged …
• Evenflo Recalls to Repair Drop-Side Cribs Due to Entrapment, Suffocation and Fall Hazards
  The cribs' drop sides can malfunction, detach or otherwise fail, causing part of the drop side to fall out of position, creating a space into which an infant or toddler can roll and become wedged …
• Delta Recalls to Repair Drop-Side Cribs Due to Entrapment, Suffocation and Fall Hazards
  The cribs' drop sides can malfunction, detach or otherwise fail, causing part of the drop side to fall out of position, creating a space into which an infant or toddler can roll and become wedged …

To date no RSS feeds are available but will be included on this page once they come online. In the mean time visit www.productsafety.gov.au

Recalls Last 30 Days

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Click Here To visit Recall Website for the latest updates.

Keep your checklist in a location easily accessible to your babysitter. A good place might to hang it on the refrigerator or a bulletin board. In this article learn what kind of information you should leave for your babysitter.

General information should include:

• Our names: (This of course is names of parents)
• Our home address (A babysitter may need this in case of an emergency he or she would need to let someone else know the address, for example, in case of fire.
• Our home telephone number
• The name, telephone number, and location of where parents will be
• Where the house key is kept
• Where the car key is kept (if you are leaving a car for the babysitter in case of emergency or whatever)
• Where first-aid supplies are kept
• Where medications are kept
• Mother’s work and/or cell telephone numbers
• Father’s work and/or cell telephone numbers
• If the sitter is only for an evening out, leave sitter with the telephone number of where you will be and/or address of location in case of emergency and/or other circumstances.
• In an emergency, if parents cannot be reached, provide the sitter with names, relationship, address, and telephone numbers of three other individuals.

When to contact us information should include:

• If a child or children cries for more than 20 or 30 minutes and you cannot determine the cause
• If a child or children develops fever, vomits or is injured
• Anytime a circumstance develops that you feel you cannot handle

Provide your sitter with emergency telephone numbers on the checklist.

These numbers should include:
• Poison Control
• Police Department
• Fire Department
• Hospital, urgent care or emergency room services
• Pediatrician’s name and address

Provide your sitter with information about what to do in case of a fire.
This should include:

• In case of a small, contained fire such as on the stove, the fire extinguisher can be used if you know how to operate one. Notate the exact location of the fire extinguisher on your checklist. Also, show the sitter where the fire extinguisher is located before you leave.
• If there is a larger fire, gather children immediately and lead them out of the house through the nearest door or window. If you have a fire escape plan in place for your family already, give these details to your sitter.
• Test doors before you open them. Get down on the floor; reach up to the door with the back of your hand. If the knob and around the frame is warm, there is fire on the other side. Try another escape.
• Show your sitter where the exits are located in your home and also include this information on the checklist
• Call 911 as quickly as possible.
• Call parents after calling 911 and/or other contacts on your list.

General house rules should include:

• Television programs and movies that are acceptable and unacceptable
• Foods that are acceptable and unacceptable
• Guidelines for outside play
• Guidelines for company
• Bedtime routine
• Special considerations (such as medicines to give at certain times, etc)
• Discipline philosophy
• Never leave a child or children left unattended
• Never leave a child or children left unattended with food

You may also want to write down details about the child or children such as full name, age, weight, height, nap and/or bed times and special instructions. For example, if a child is allergic to a certain type of food, or has a particular medical condition.

Author: Connie Limon. Visit our article collection all about Babies and Toddlers at: http://www.babiesandtoddlers2.com

If the technology is available, you must consider investing for the sake of your baby’s well being. For example, do you know that you can now buy and install a baby monitor and keep watch over your child while you perform your chores?

That’s the wonder of technology. Let’s take a look at what to look out for when buying a baby monitor.

Tip 1: Going for a well recognized brand.

All sorts of brands are flooding the market to fill a very real need. But you must remember that when safety is concerned, you must go for products with the highest credibility. In other words, the chances of the product failing must be kept to a minimum. Products can fail to function properly for a variety of reasons. For instance, batteries may run out too soon due to heavy power consumption. Or the wireless feature may not be working properly.

One highly recommended brand is Angel Care baby monitors. Products by this Company has received widespread positive reviews. You should look out for similar reviews before buying a baby monitoring system.

Tip 2: Assess the key features.

There are 2 key features that you must look out for. The first feature is portability. As you are walking around the house, you want to be sure that it’s easier to carry the monitoring device around. Otherwise, you will eventually find it cumbersome to use the system and shut it off.

The other key feature is the wireless feature. Almost all baby monitor systems are wireless now. It’s hard to imagine a system with wires running all over the place. That has gone the way of the dinosaur. Make sure that the wireless function is working properly. If it’s not reliable, it’s as good as not having a monitoring system at all – there is no peace of mind.

Tip 3: Power consumption.

As mentioned earlier, it’s always wise to choose a system that is well balanced. That is, the system should be smart enough to conserve power (e.g. by having a stand by mode). That will allow the batteries to last longer. Systems with rechargeable batteries are highly recommended as that saves you the trouble of having to replace dead batteries.

Tip 4: Know your own needs well.

Some systems come with special functions such as night monitoring. Not everyone need this function because usually, during night time, the baby sleeps with the parents in the same room. However, if you feel that for some reason you may need this function, by all means buy a system that comes with night monitoring. The key is to know your own needs well so that you can make better buying decisions.

Finally, never base your decision on price alone. It’s your baby’s safety at stake here. So whatever the price, as long as the system works well and is reliable, pay for it!

Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:– Jack Taggerty Click here for a comparison chart on baby monitors

It has to be basically safe and comfortable for you and the baby and easy to open, close, maneuver and store.

There are many types of baby strollers found today like the carriage stroller which is a great first stroller and the umbrella stroller which is easy to fold and thus convenient as a secondary stroller to be used for jaunts and trips. The standard stroller is usually the primary baby stroller that comes with many features like storage basket and bumper tray.

Lightweight strollers are also great for traveling purposes but are generally high priced than its typical counterparts. The car seat/stroller combo is a great baby stroller to be used for those using the car regularly.

You can go jogging taking your baby with you in the jogging stroller while tandem and side-by-side strollers are best for those having children close in age, twins or triplets. In these types of strollers, the seats are fixed next to each other, on a large, single frame.

When choosing the right baby stroller, make sure that it is sturdy, and is of quality construction. It should have all terrain wheels so that it can be used on all surfaces.

There should be some safety features in the baby stroller and be comparatively easy to use by all parents. Make sure the stroller can fold and unfold easily and is rather maneuverable.

It is better to choose baby strollers that are easy to clean with removable and machine washable seat covers. Choose baby strollers that accommodate the baby as it grows and those that have storage baskets that are generously sized.

Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:– Our experts have made a research and found the best strollers and stroller stores. Find it only on the Strollers Planet . All about baby strollers and jogging strollers on http://www.best-jogging-baby-strollers.com

There is a mandatory Australian/New Zealand safety standard for bunk beds (AS/NZ:4220) which covers the essential safety features of bunk beds. When choosing a bunk bed check if it complies and if you’re not sure ask the retailer.

What you can do:– Although this standard covers important safety requirements, it is up to parents and caregivers to make sure bunk beds are safe for children.

The main points to check:– The ends and sides of the top bunk should be fitted with a safety rail or guard, the top of which is at least 160mm above the top of the mattress. If the bunks were purchased without safety guard-rails, buy them separately. All four sides of the top bunk should have roll-out protection. Do not allow children to use the top bunk without this important safety feature.

Are there any hanging spaces?:– These are gaps from 75mm to 230mm between the bunk bed and the wall, or between parts of the upper bunk. Some children’s bodies are small enough to pass through these gaps but their heads are not. Heads can become trapped and children can be hung by their own body weight.

This is a very serious and real hazard – remember you cannot supervise children 24 hours a day. The correct size mattress should fit snugly into the bed frame with a gap of no more than 25mm between it and the bed sides and ends. A mattress this size prevents any dangerous gaps.

Where will the bunk be located?:– Allow plenty of clear space between bunks and ceiling fans. Adults should be able to safely access the top bunk without risk from moving fan blades. There should be at least 2 metres clearance between ceiling fans and bunk beds.

Who will use the bunk bed?:– Children aged under six years should NEVER be allowed on the top bunk.

Other considerations:–

• Properly attached ladders are important to provide safe access to and from the top bunk, especially during the night.
• Provide some form of lighting for the person in the top bunk (night light, bedside lamp, torch) to make it safer getting in and out of bed.
• Regularly check the bed and attend to any loose bolts, broken parts or splinters.
• Remember to follow the manufacturer’s assembly instructions closely (keep assembly instructions where you can find them for later use).
• Bunk beds were not intended for playing on. Ensure rules are established and obeyed.

Step 1 – Check that you have fitted the restraint according to the manufacturer’s directions and make sure it is in good condition;

Step 2 – Check the upper anchorage strap is firmly adjusted to remove slack but not over-tightened to cause the restraint base to lift off the vehicle seat;

Step 3 - Check the vehicle’s seat belt is fed through the correct pathway for the particular child restraint and according to the manufacturer’s instructions;

Step 4 - Make sure the restraint is suitable for the child’s weight;

Step 5 – Check the shoulder harness can be adjusted on to the child firmly enough to remove all slack and the harness slot is no lower than shoulder height;

and

Step 6 – Make sure the restraint is suitable for your vehicle.

I am sure they will not mind me copying this very important article here for those of you who missed the show.

It smells nice and it’s soothing for baby. But who would think such an old-time product, a nursery staple, could injure and kill?

Baby oil, along with other common household oils for massage, hair, and bath, essential oils, eucalyptus and camphor oils, are responsible for at least 3000 reported ingestion accidents to young children every year in Australia.

Toxicologist Dr Naren Gunja from NSW Poisons Information Centre at Westmead Hospital says most parents don’t realize the danger.

“Once the child has ingested it depending on how much they ingest then it could be too late. Over a period of time, the child can die,” says Dr Gunja.

“It is a gradual process that can take several days, two weeks to die.”

Mums Gabby and Soraya say the drama started when their kids, Natalia, 4, and Gabriel, 3, were playing together. They discovered the two splashing baby oil over them and they’d drunk some.

Soon, both kids were having difficulty breathing. Natalia was also vomiting, Daniel had a rash. An ambulance rushed them to hospital – the doctors’ warnings were grim.

“He listened to his lungs for quite a while and he said ‘he looks ok’ and – this was just horrible – he said ‘look, there’s nothing we can do, this is something that if your child has done this, and it’s in his lungs there is nothing that we can do’,” says Soraya.

When Gabby and Soraya checked the internet for accidents and side-effects they discovered the horrors – in the US, 20 kids a year die from breathing in household oils, 5 deaths are from baby oil. In total, around 80,000 household oil ingestion accidents are reported to the US Poisons Centre yearly.

“The death the child goes through is absolutely horrific, the latest boy to die in America was Jayden Bryson, 18 months old, it took him 28 days to die, he suffocated to death,” explains Soraya.

Why so toxic? Look at the ingredients and you see baby oil, sunscreen oil, bath, body and massage oils, make-up removers, nail enamel dryers, eucalyptus, camphor and clove oils – are all made from mineral oil, a petroleum ingredient from crude oil.

Mineral oils contain hydrocarbons, a real danger to the stomach and especially the lungs – which can stop working.

“A mouthful of baby oil ingested by a child is enough to cause it to vomit and if they breathe that into their lungs that is enough to cause lung inflammation … if enough of that happens it could lead to death,” says Dr Gunja.

Mineral oils are also used for cleaning, as industrial and mechanical lubricants, in cosmetics and even pesticides. And, apart from they’ve been blamed for a range of health problems – allegedly acne, premature ageing of skin, and other skin disorders, impeding normal cell development and possibly causing vitamin deficiency.

Luckily, Gabriel and Natalia survived their ordeal. Seven years ago the US Consumer Product Safety Commission made child-resistant packaging mandatory for oily liquids containing hydrocarbons – like baby oils, bath, body, hair and massage oils, and sunscreens. So, Johnson and Johnson Baby Oil sold in America has the compulsory child-proof lid. Why not in Australia?

Johnson and Johnson wouldn’t appear on camera. The company’s email to Today Tonight says Johnson’s Baby Oil has been sold in Australia for 48 years and that our reports of accidents are the first they’ve received of a potentially serious health issue. Yet, they must be aware it was the accidents and deaths in America that forced them to put child-resistant caps on there.

Further information:– As a result of Today Tonight’s investigation Johnson & Johnson has informed us that they will after 48 years change to child resistant caps on all its baby oil products in Australia and worldwide.

A big thankyou to Today Tonight for this information. It is wonderful to think that someone else out there is helping us to protect our babies.

Shoulder harnesses can be purchased separately and fitted to existing high chairs. Use the harness daily from the very beginning and your baby will grow to accept it. Make sure it is fitted and used every time the child is in the chair.

Check the folding high chair cannot accidentally collapse during use and catches are locked into place every time before the child is placed in it.

Follow the instructions and mail the warranty card back to the supplier. This will ensure you will be notified of any safety problems that might be found at a later date.

Keep a close watch on children in high chairs. If you must leave the room, take them with you. Never leave children unattended.

Ensure the high chair is at least 500mm (20 inches) away from the windows, unsecured doorways, stoves, appliance cords, curtains or blind

If the high chair has a reclining seat – do not attempt to adjust the angle while the baby is still in the chair.

Make sure the high chair has no gaps that could trap a baby’s arm or leg.

Make sure there are no finger traps or sharp edges under the tray (any gap between 5 to 12mm is a finger trap).

Make sure the high chair is stable with a wide base.

Make sure the high chair has a 5 point harness fitted. The harness should have straps over the shoulder, round the waist and between the legs.

If the high chair’s height can be adjusted, make sure any locking devices are locked firmly into place before putting the baby in it.

Attend to loose nuts and broken parts as soon as you find them. Most retailers offer a good range of spare parts.

Repair any torn seats before the foam padding is exposed as babies can choke on it.

Never allow a child to stand up in a high chair or climb into or out of it. Put high chairs out of reach when not in use.

Ensure that there are no entrapment points for the head, fingers or limbs accessible to the child occupant. Finger traps may be more common around the tray area. Unsafe gaps may be also be more common in high chairs that can be reclined.

Our thanks to the Queensland Department of Fair Trading for permission to reproduce 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.

Most of these drownings occurred when children were left alone in baby bath seats. The products can be called bath rings, bathing cradles or infant bath seats.

These products are NOT safety devices. Parents and careers should use these products with caution as children have died when using these products.

The Office of Fair Trading does not advocate the use of these products because they may lull parents or caregivers into a false sense of security making them more inclined to leave the child alone in the bath. If parents or caregivers were aware of the danger they would never leave a child alone in the bath.

Fatalities and injuries:– Queensland Injury Surveillance Unit (QISU) data indicates that drowning accounts for a quarter of injury associated childhood deaths in Queensland. Based on QISU data, at least two children under five years drown in the bath each year in Queensland. The median age of these children is 10 months. Bathtub drownings have an equal male to female ratio.

Most bathtub drownings occurred when parent or carer supervision was interrupted, for example when the doorbell or telephone rang, or when the baby was left in the care of other young children.

For every toddler who drowns, three or four others are admitted to hospital following an incident involving water. These children have up to a 20% risk of brain damage due to lack of oxygen.

Risks:– Babies and young children do not understand the concept of danger, and are not aware of the risks associated with water.

Baby bath seats, or the presence of other children, are no substitute for adult supervision. Babies and children can slip out of a bathing aid and drown if left unattended, even for only a few seconds.

What you can do:–

• Never leave a baby alone in a bath, even for a few moments to answer the door or telephone – if you must leave, take the baby with you.
• Use only the minimum depth of water required to wash the baby.
• Don’t leave babies in the care of other young children.
• Baby bath seats should never be used without adult supervision. However, if you must use one DO NOT use it on an uneven surface or where the enamel is worn – always keep the child at arms length.
• Never leave even a small amount of water in a bath – empty it immediately after use.
• Consider learning CPR first aid – it can save a life when the seconds count.

Our thanks to the Queensland Department of Fair Trading for permission to reproduce 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

Babywalkers and babies are a potentially dangerous mix, as they provide babies with more mobility and reach than they may be ready for.

There is no conclusive evidence that babywalkers assist with a child’s development and many safety professionals including the Office of Fair Trading actively discourage their use.

Injuries = Almost all babywalker related injuries from 1998 to 2001 (92%) in Queensland involved children less than 12 months old, with 14% of the injuries. More than 90% of cases involved a fall with more than 70% involving stairs. More than a third of the babywalker related injuries were to the head.

All head injuries are potentially serious. The national injury data is just as alarming. About 500 babies in Australia are injured each year in a babywalker with around half requiring hospital emergency room treatment. Babywalkers give a child access to hazards such as heaters, ashtrays, electrical connections, and hot substances.

Babies can suffer burns and scalds from reaching hot objects such as oven doors or pulling down hot irons.
Babies can be poisoned after reaching and swallowing dangerous substances.
Research indicates that up to 57% of babies injured as a result of having access to hazards require hospitalization.

Before you buy:– Give some thought to the alternative types of products that would be just as entertaining but safer. All babywalkers supplied in trade or commerce in

Australia from 1 November 2002 must meet certain safety features as prescribed under part 11A of the Queensland Fair Trading Regulation 2001. This standard is based on the US Standard ASTM F977.

The new standard includes:–

Stability – a series of tests to minimise the risk of the babywalker tipping over either forwards, backwards or sideways.

Prevention of falls down stairs – normally achieved by friction strips or some other form of braking mechanism, on the undercarriage that operates when the edge of the walker moves over a step.

Product warnings – consumer safety warnings. Some types of babywalkers have other additional safety options such as being made too wide to move through a standard doorway, design features that limit their speed or the ability to be made stationary by raising the wheel carriage. Check with the retailer about these types of products.

Check the babywalker will support the weight of your baby. It will probably need to be able to take a 12kg baby to be useful up to the walking stage.

Make sure your baby’s feet can touch the floor while sitting in the walker.

Look for a babywalker with a wide base for stability and big wheels at least 50mm in diameter.

Check for any finger, arm or leg traps, sharp edges or pinch points.
Second-hand babywalkers may not be as safe as new ones. For example, it may have been through a fall and been weakened without any obvious signs of damage.

It may also not have the safety features to stop the walker going down the stairs. Do not buy a babywalker unless you are able to make your home safe for one.

How to make your home babywalker safe:–

Do not let your baby have access to areas which are not babywalker safe.
• Only use the babywalker on flat, level surfaces.
• Place child resistant barriers at the top of stairs.
• Block access to open sliding glass doors or windows at floor level.
• Sliding aluminium tracks can cause walkers to topple.
• Block access to heaters and fireplaces
• Check for electrical cords on floors that could cause the babywalker to topple.
• Remove hazards that a baby in a babywalker could have access to.

As a guide, look at things that are less than 900mm from the floor. Babies have little sense of danger and the injuries caused to babies by having this extra access can be horrific.

Remove or tack down the edges of loose rugs or carpets.

Never use babywalkers in kitchens, bathrooms or laundries – there are too many hazards.

It is critical that you place child resistant barriers across all doorways to these rooms.

Never carry a babywalker while a child is in it, babywalkers are not designed to be used like this. It could hurt the child or cause a fall-related injury.

Follow the safety instructions provided with the babywalker, especially those for locking the frame into position and adjusting the seat.

Most importantly, never leave a baby unsupervised in a babywalker!

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.

Cot related injuries account for about 20 per cent of all children’s injuries involving nursery furniture. Most cot injuries are due to falls from the cot. These are largely due to children falling while trying to climb out of cots (sometimes when the cot dropside is left down).

When children start to climb, it is a sure sign that they have outgrown their cots. When this happens move your child to a single bed.

Cot injuries have also occurred due to:

• Entrapment hazards spaces between panels or bars which a child’s head, limbs or hands can get caught.
• Snag points protrusions on which clothing can catch and hang a child.

What Can You Do?

Only buy a cot that complies with Australian Standard (AS/NZS 2172 ask the retailer if the cot complies). All cots sold in Australia must meet this safety standard.) I am sure that all countries would have a standards code for Baby Cots

Use a standard household cot for everyday use not a portable or travel cot. Portable cots are not intended for permanent use.

Do not place the cot near windows, heaters or power points. This will reduce the risk of injuries from falls, burns and electrocutions.

Remove large toys, cots bumpers and cushions from the cot once the child can stand, as these can help the child to climb out.

Do not allow small objects that could cause the child to choke to be placed in the cot or anywhere accessible to the child. Anything smaller than a ping pong ball is a choking hazard to an infant.

Make sure electric blankets and hot water bottles are never used for babies or young children.

Make sure the cot is placed away from any curtain or blind cords to avoid strangulation.

Make sure the space above the cot is free of objects such as pictures or mirrors that could fall on the child.

Make sure there are no more than two legs with castors or that the castors have brakes.

Make sure bases on adjustable base cots are moved to their lowest setting as soon as the child is able to situnaided. There should only be two base height positions.

Always follow the manufacturer’s assembly instructions and use the correct tools (and keep them somewhere safe for future reference).

If you buy a second hand cot, make extra sure it meets the essential safety features outlined in this fact sheet. Many old cots are unsafe and generally do not have the safety features of new models.

Critical Cot Dimensions:–

Minimum depth: Should be at least 500mm from the top of the mattress to the lowest point on any side.

Only use the size of mattress recommended by the manufacturer.

Space between bars: Should be between 50mm and 85mm (any wider and a serious head entrapment is created). Any gap over 95mm is a head entrapment hazard.

Spaces between bars and mattress sides: Should not be more than 25mm. An infant can roll face down into a gap and have difficulty rolling over.

Finger traps: There should be no spaces between 5mm and 12mm.

Arm and leg traps: There should be no spaces between 30mm and 50mm.

Protrusions: There should be no protrusions more than 8mm within the cot that are accessible to the child. Clothing can be caught on these and strangle a child.

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.