On this page
About high chairs
A high chair is used for feeding babies and toddlers.
It has a raised seat off the ground, with legs and a small table connected to the front to put food or drinks on.
Risks and injuries from the product
Falls are the most common injury involving high chairs. Children often fall when trying to stand up in the chair, or when trying to climb in or out of the chair.
Other dangers associated with high chairs include:
- fingers, toes, limbs and heads being trapped, pinched or crushed by moving parts or gaps
- children choking on easily detachable small parts.
Things to look for when buying the product
Babies and toddlers can be injured while using high chairs. There isn’t a mandatory standard for high chairs but the following is a guide.
Reclining high chairs that a child can easily fall asleep in aren’t recommended.
Design and construction
- The construction and framework is sturdy and strong. Put some weight on the seat and backrest to see if they squeak, sag, deform, move out of position, or collapse.
- The folding high chair is stable, with a wide base.
- The locks work, preventing the high chair from collapsing.
- There are no sharp edges or points along the edges of the chair and tray that could cut a baby or toddler.
- There are no easily detachable parts which could be a choking hazard.
- Moving parts can't pinch, crush or trap a baby or toddler’s fingers, toes, limbs or head.
- Wheels and casters are lockable to prevent unwanted movement.
- There is a 3 or 5-point harness restraint system, which restricts the baby or toddler from standing up or slipping down while seated.
- The 5-point restraint harness is the safest. It goes over the baby or toddler’s shoulders, round their waist and between their legs.
- The 3-point restraint harnesses is effective if the waist and crotch straps are firmly fastened.
Second-hand high chairs
If you decide to use, buy or borrow a second-hand high chair, make sure:
- it has a proper harness. If it doesn't, buy a harness separately and clip or attach it securely
- the product hasn't been recalled
- it includes the instructions for safe assembly and use
- all of its parts are in good working order.
For tips and more information, see Buy second-hand products that are safe.
How to use the product safely
Keep your baby and toddler safe by following this guidance.
Set up the high chair safely
When setting up or adjusting your high chair, make sure you:
- follow the product assembly instructions
- follow product guidelines for your baby’s age, size and development
- remove the child from the high chair before making any adjustments
- keep the high chair out of reach of windows, doors, stoves, electrical appliances, curtain or blind cords.
Safely use the high chair each time
Each time you use the high chair, make sure you:
- always supervise your child when they are sitting in a high chair
- always use the harness or restraint system. Check that it is firmly fitted. Harnesses that are too loose may allow the child to wriggle down or out. It could even create a loop which could trap or strangle an unsupervised child.
- stop your child from standing or trying to climb out of or into the high chair
- keep your child’s hands out of the way when you raise or lower the high chair tray
- never allow other children to play near or climb onto the high chair
- put the high chair out of reach when not in use. High chair legs can be a trip hazard in high traffic areas.
- check for loose or broken parts and exposed foam on the seat that could choke your child.
