About prams and strollers
Prams and strollers provide a safe and comfortable way to move babies and toddlers around.
There are a variety of prams and strollers available. A combination pram/stroller will have different seat reclining positions. This allows you to use it for newborn babies and toddlers.
Pram and stroller designs vary, they may have 3 or 4 wheels, or may be designed to carry one or more children. They may also have attachments like bassinets or complete travel systems with car capsules.
Some other wheeled vehicles, such as convertible tricycles, may have a stroller mode.
Risks and injuries from the product
Remember to put your baby to sleep in a safe environment. Always put baby on their back on a flat, firm and level surface with their head and face uncovered. Remove any pillows, soft toys and sleep aids.
Babies and toddlers can suffer serious injuries if:
- they fall as a result of the harness not being used or adjusted properly
- they access parts of the pram or stroller that may trap their fingers
- the carer loses control of the pram, and it rolls into a dangerous situation
- the folding frame collapses
- the pram tips over from weight added to the handles.
Babies and toddlers can suffocate if:
- extra mattresses, padding, pillows or cushions are added to the pram or stroller
- a newborn baby is placed in an upright seated position
- they are in an inclined position and fall asleep. This can put baby in a chin to chest position which restricts breathing.
Things to look for when buying a product
Babies and toddlers can be seriously injured in prams and strollers. For this reason, there’s a mandatory standard that suppliers and retailers must comply with.
Only buy and use a pram or stroller that complies with the prams and strollers mandatory standard.
This standard also applies to wheeled vehicles, such as convertible tricycles, which have a stroller mode. Babies under one year of age should not use these products in tricycle mode.
The mandatory standard doesn’t include strollers and chairs designed for children with a disability. These are medical devices regulated by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).
Use of the pram or stroller
- Know your requirements and how you'll use the pram or stroller before purchasing.
- Will you need a pram or stroller that folds down to fit in your car? If so, buy one that is lightweight for lifting.
- Will you need a storage basket? If so buy one that is centrally located underneath your pram or stroller to reduce tipping and rocking.
- Learn how to correctly fold and use the pram or stroller at the time you buy it.
Design and construction
- Effective brakes and at least one red parking brake.
- A tether wrist strap on the handle.
- A headrest for protection on strollers where the back rest reclines.
- The mechanisms that secure the product from accidentally folding or unfolding work properly.
- Locking components work properly, including locks on wheels that swivel, parking brakes, recliner and frame adjustment positions that lock into place.
- Components look strong, and feel rigid and not rickety.
- Easy to steer with solid and durable wheel components.
- 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.
Marks and labels
- The pram or stroller has a safety warning statement that is easy to read and clearly displayed.
Second-hand prams and strollers
If you decide to use, buy or borrow a second-hand pram or stroller, make sure:
- the product hasn't been recalled
- it meets the mandatory standard
- 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 pram or stroller safely
When setting up or adjusting your pram or stroller, make sure you:
- follow the product assembly instructions
- follow product guidelines for your baby’s age, size and development
- remove the child from the pram or stroller before making any adjustments.
Safely use the pram or stroller each time
Each time you use the pram or stroller, make sure you:
- never leave your baby or toddler unattended in the pram or stroller
- always harness your baby and supervise them, especially if they fall asleep
- check the harness fits correctly
- always keep your hands on the pram or stroller and use the tether strap around your wrist
- always use the parking brake when stopped
- never use extra mattresses, padding, pillows or cushions
- check the pram or stroller for damage, such as ripped seams, missing or loose fasteners and frayed seats or straps
- don’t load up the pram or stroller handles with shopping or handbags
- never place a baby under 6 months in a seated upright position
- regularly check the folding frame locks are working properly.
Don't let babies sleep in the pram or stroller
It is unsafe for your baby or toddler to sleep in a pram or stroller as they are not a safe sleeping environment.
The pram or stroller can roll away or be tipped over.
Your baby may be inclined and restrained if sleeping in a pram or stroller. This makes sleeping in a stroller unsafe as it can increase the risk of injury or sudden death from suffocation.
If your baby or toddler does fall asleep in their pram or stroller, make sure you:
- fully recline the backrest
- keep them harnessed
- remove any soft items like toys or bedding
- check your child frequently
- don’t leave them for long periods or unsupervised
- wake and remove your child as soon as possible to put them in a safe sleeping environment.
Watch our video on pram and stroller safety
Prams and strollers can come with plenty of bells and whistles. Don’t let these distract you.
Take baby out safely in a pram or stroller by following some simple steps outlined in this video.
Video transcript
TEXT: Your first steps to a safe pram or stroller
VISION: A woman is carrying her baby to a pram. They clip the baby into the pram using the safety harness.
TEXT: Step 1: Strap in before you stroll
VISION: The woman lifts the strap of a handbag off the pram's handlebar, and slips her hand through the safety strap of the pram.
TEXT: Step 2: Bags off, hands on
VISION: The woman lifts the brake of the pram and she proceeds to walk the pram down the street.
TEXT: Step 3: For more safety tips visit productsafety.gov.au
ACCC Product Safety. Your first steps. productsafety.gov.au
