What do you get when you put a hungry monster and equipped it with wheels and an umbrella? – You get a stroller monster that bites off finger tips with its hinges.
In the last couple of months, we’ve seen major recalls by Maclaren and Graco due to many finger tip amputation accidents caused by the hinges and this begs the question of the design of umbrella strollers in general. If we take a look at umbrella strollers from different companies, like Britax (who also was recalled) and CYBEX as well, they also possess similar hinge dangers of fingertip amputations.
It’s an unnerving situation for parents as the question remains, what is safe for our babies if the stroller that was meant to keep them safe is not? Stroller accidents seemed to be on the rise due to the fact that many strollers are built to break down fast. While companies are working to get problems fixed, it is important for parents to be updated and know what is going on.
Strollers can be very similar to cars. Though not as complicated, the dangers are the same. No one wants to get their fingers clipped by the car door. So if you have a stroller that has hinges, make sure no fingers are around when moving the hinge.
A lot of times, we take for granted that products are always 100% safe but nobody is perfect, just as no product is perfect. There will always be improvements needed to make a product better. As consumers, we cannot always assume that everything is always at its best. But I am also not saying to be paranoid either. What I am saying is that be aware. Awareness is always the best tool one can have against unwanted accidents.
A lot of parents do not usually check when they move the hinges, hence, not noticing that baby’s fingers can be placed right there when the hinge move. So make it a point and a habit that when you want to maneuver the stroller and its parts, keep your baby in sight so that accidents can be avoided.
This applies also to moving the stroller over bumps or trying to carry the stroller up the stairs with the baby in it (Something you should never do). Be sure to use your safety senses: Slow down, Check the baby and Giggle with Baby.
Repeat to yourself:
Slow down, Check the baby, Giggle with Baby…
Slow down, Check the baby, Giggle with Baby…
Slow down, Check the baby, Giggle with Baby…
That being said. I am just glad that there are organizations like CPSC that helps check for products that can be detrimental to the safety of our precious little ones. So parents, be aware, use your safety sense and stroller safe.
