CPSC estimates that each year there are 21,300 hospital emergency room treated injuries associated with baby walkers for children under 15 months of age. Most injuries are caused by falling down stairs. Walkers have also been involved in 34 deaths since 1973. According to CPSC, in 2009 alone there were an estimated 3,700 injuries among children under age five due to walkers, jumpers, and exercisers, down from an estimated 4,000 in 2006. On average, there are 2 deaths per year due to these products based on data from 2005-2007. Walkers are banned in Canada. CPSC has recently adopted a mandatory standard for walkers to address some of the hazards.
However, many doctors still warn against the use of walkers. In walkers, children can be injured by falling down stairs as well as reaching up and pulling hot or other dangerous items onto themselves. In addition, doctors have concerns about developmental issues. Consider a stationary entertainer unit instead.
A recall or a corrective action has been issued for walkers and stationary entertainers for various reasons including:
- Brackets may break during use, causing the product to collapse
- Screws can come out, presenting a choking hazard to young children
- Laceration risk due to sharp edges
- Walkers can fit through a standard doorway and are not designed to stop at the edge of a step
- Walkers can tip over
- Stationary entertainers and walkers can collapse unexpectedly during use
A recall or a corrective action had been issued for walkers and stationary entertainers for various reasons such as brackets may break in use causing the product to collapse; screws can come out presenting a choking hazard to young children; and laceration risk due to sharp edges.
More Information on Walkers and Stationary Entertainers
Safety alert: Infants Can Choke On Plastic Decals From Baby Walkers and Other Products
CPSC Gets New, Safer Baby Walkers on the Market
Stair Steps and Baby Walkers Don’t Mix
Baby Walkers are Dangerous! AAP Fact Sheet
Danny’s Story
On May 12, 1998, 16-month-old Daniel Keysar was strangled to death at his licensed childcare facility when a Playskool Travel-Lite portable crib collapsed, trapping his neck in the “V” of its folded rails.
Aiden’s Story
Aiden suffocated on the crib bumper pad in his crib. He was six months old. "My beloved grandson was literally the light of my life."
Ellie’s Story
Ellie died when the changing table attachment on a play yard came down on the back of her neck as she stood up. She was thirteen months old.
Liam’s Story
Liam died when he was entrapped by the defective drop-side of his crib. He was nine months old.
Jared’s Story
Jared was strangled when the top rails of his portable crib collapsed. He was eight months old.
Riley’s Story
Riley was strangled when the side rail of her portable crib collapsed around her neck. She was 10 months old.
Ethan’s Story
Ethan died just months after Riley when he was strangled in the same type portable crib. He was eight months old.