Warning on walkers
- February
- 16
If your baby is using a walker, stop now. That’s the message from Westchester County Executive Andy Spano and District Attorney Janet DiFiore, who issued an alert today about a new campaign to stop parents from endangering their children in baby walkers.
The death of a New Rochelle boy who fell down a flight of stairs while using a walker inspired this effort. The county’s Department of Consumer Protection is distributing brochures and flyers at health clinics, youth programs, day care centers and other places where families with babies gather.
Babies who live in a home with a walker are nine times more likely to suffer a serious injury, according to the county. Children are hurt primarily by falling down stairs, but also get into trouble because a walker gives them access to things they couldn’t reach on their own, like hot stoves and poisons. There are safety standards for new walkers that are supposed to prevent stair injuries, but the Consumer Product Safety Commission has recalled at least 18 baby walkers since 2000. Three out of four of the 3,600 yearly injuries to young children involve infants falling down stairs and suffering head injuries, according to the county. “We need to get the word out about this. Parents are shocked to hear the numbers but they should be a wake-up call for all of us. Sometimes protecting children means educating parents and caretakers,â€? said Gary Brown, director of consumer protection.
Safety experts advise parents to instead choose a stationary activity center without wheels.










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My colleague 






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