Baby change tables are common in households with young children but the Office of Fair Trading is warning there are dangers involved in their use.
Office of Fair Trading product safety expert David Strachan said recent baby change table-related injury data was alarming and parents needed to understand the risk uninformed choices or even a brief lapse in concentration could pose to their babies.
“On average 90 infants per year present to Queensland emergency departments with change table-related injuries, according to the recent report Consumer product-related injuries in Queensland children.
“The vast majority of these injuries occurred to children under three years old, with 75 per cent occurring to children aged under one.
“Over 93 per cent of the injuries were due to a child falling from a change table.
“Alarmingly, one in every five change table-related head injuries was a traumatic brain injury.”
Mr Strachan said parents and carers could drastically reduce the risk of injury by choosing the right change table and making sure they used it correctly.
“Unlike other nursery furniture, there is no Australian safety standard for change tables so it’s important to think carefully about which one you buy,” he said.
“Only buy a change table with some form of roll-off protection such as a child safety harness, and raised sides.
“Make sure there are no gaps or spaces near the changing surface that could trap a child’s fingers, head or limbs.
“Choose a table with built-in storage so that you won’t have to leave your child while you fetch nappies and wipes.
“Be aware that collapsible frames need a secure locking mechanism. If the table has wheels at least two wheels need lockable breaks.
“Never leave a baby unattended on a change table, even for a very short amount of time.
“It’s also important to repair any loose or broken parts of the table straight away so they don’t become a choking or injury hazard.”
For more information on product safety visit the Office of Fair Trading website at www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au or call 13 QGOV (13 74 68).