Are Australia’s safety standards for prams missing the mark?
Australia’s safety standards for prams have come into question recently after a report by CHOICE throws doubt on the safety of 18 top prams.
The models in question failed CHOICE’s stringent safety checks – standards that manufacturers are currently not obliged to meet.
Why did these models fail CHOICE’s test?
The majority failed due to the buckle on the prams harness: “The buckle’s design fails to separate the straps and prevent them from forming a loop, which is a potential strangulation risk.”
CHOICE believes that “As it stands, there are no mandatory safety standards for a list that includes the basics that most parents would own: bassinets, cot mattresses, high chairs, change tables, baby bottles and teats, safety gates and barriers, backyard play equipment, baby carriers and slings and play pens.”
The major concern for all Australian parents is the safety and welfare of their child – so does more rigorous testing need to take place?
The Pram Models in question
The prams that CHOICE claim fall short are (year tested in brackets):
- Baby Jogger City Mini GT (2017)
- Baby Jogger City Select Lux (single) (2018)
- Baby Jogger City Tour (2018)
- Babyzen Yoyo (2015)
- Childcare Flip (2017)
- GB Pockit AUS (2016)
- iCandy Strawberry 2 (2016)
- InfaSecure Arlo (2015)
- Joie Mirus (2015)
- Mountain Buggy Cosmopolitan 2.0 (2017)
- Mountain Buggy MB Mini 3.1 (2018)
- Mountain Buggy Mini (2014)
- Mountain Buggy Swift 3.0 (2016)
- Phil & Teds Vibe V3 (2015)
- Safety 1st Wanderer X (2016)
- Silver Cross Wave SX2073 (2018)
- Stokke Xplory (2016)
- UPPAbaby Vista 0318-VIS-AU (2018)
CHOICE states that the “The CHOICE pram test is an ongoing test, adding new models on a regular basis. Some models tested in previous years may have been updated since we tested them, but because of the risks we believe these prams present to children we think it’s important to flag these products may still be available in shops or in people’s homes.”
CHOICE advocates for stronger product safety law. Find out more about which models were tested here.
Read next:
- Tell Me Baby 2018 Baby Product Awards
- The 10 Best Prams – as voted for by the Tell Me Baby Community
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Do you think Australia’s safety standards for prams are stringent enough?
