Since the news about the baby being dragged by a train after rolling onto the train track, I have been thinking about prams.
We need a new pram for our baby and I want to get one that is safe.
A couple of years ago, a baby rolled in his pram into the Torrens River in Adelaide while mum turned away from the pram.
After this incident, Steve always put the brakes on our pram whenever we were waiting at lights and encouraged me to do the same thing since you just don't know what is going to happen in the next split second. Since hearing about the pram at the train station, I think the most important thing for a pram is having brakes that are easy to get on and off.
What other safety features do you look for in a pram?
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6 comments:
Perhaps "turning away from the pram" at all is not a good idea. I don't worry too much about safety features. All strollers are pretty much built similarly (safety wise, here in the U.S. there are major standards for safety or they are recalled if some tiny thing is found to be defective). On jogging strollers, there is this hook and loop strap that is attached to you and the stroller (like handcuffs but longer, more slack). That might be a very good idea (If one could remember to attach it EVERY TIME). It would remind the person who is pushing the stroller (pram) to NOT let go, no matter what. You would also be more likely to remember to put the brakes on, if you had to let go of the handle (and take off the wrist strap). It's our inattention, NOT defective strollers, that cause most of the accidents. Speaking of that video, when I was visiting Washington D.C. and traveling by commuter train EVERYWHERE (for the first time, ever!) with my baby neice, my baby daughter and my older daughter, I held on to that stroller for dear life and stood WELL behind the warning line while the trains wizzed past. I held on to the babies, too (as tightly as I could!). If one of them was asleep in the stroller (if not, I'd take them out of it and put them in the front pack or the back pack/let trina hold one of them) because I was freaked out that the stroller would roll onto the tracks! There's something very dangerous feeling around train tracks with trains buzzing by every minute that lit up the "mommy warning lights" in me. I can't imagine just turning away and letting go, even for a SECOND. That video is heartbreaking to watch. Agony!
totally agree with everything you said Laura. I think it is inattention that causes most accidents. You just never know when that moment of inattention is going to come.
Therese - I must say I agree with Laura. We had a 'Phil and Teds' pram (secondhand) which after years of good use had the brakes break whilst on a learning trip in Melbourne. We immediately stopped using it. (In fact, it is being used as part of a go kart frame now).
The factor that also save the Melbourne baby's life was that it was strapped into the pram. Five point harnesses are a part of the current Australian Standards (since early 2000's) so most prams will have them.
Beyond that the only additional feature I have seen is a strap that is sewn onto the stroller arm that you can velcro to yourself. If a stroller does pull away it will bring your attention. It would be something that you can simply add for yourself to an existing pram but, honestly, I'd be concerned that I would put too much trust in it and let go of the pram on occasions where I should not.
All the best with your safety ponderings - it is accidents like these that really have us requestion our decisions as parents. I guess, looking at the footage from the Melbourne train accident I simply shook my head as to why the stroller was released at all. This is especially pertinent because, unlike Adelaide, in Melbourne you need not validate a ticket on the train as you validate your ticket before you enter the platform. Of course, it was an accident spared of a tragic outcome and I just hope that young parents learn from this experience.
I can't watch the video..can't bring myself. ~~shudder~~ I will say that there really aren't many safety features attached to strollers, period. I don't really go many places, but if I was in a place like that, I *know* I wouldn't be letting go of the doggone handle. No way. And if I didn't have my hand on it, all of my older dc would have *their* hands on it (our standard is that those not in the stroller, or pushing/pulling something else, have their hands on mom, the stroller, or the grocery cart...everyone's got a place to be, and right next to me is that place, lol).
Honestly, my main thoughts on strollers is how much weight can it carry? How many children? Does it have a cup holder? How dirt resistant is it going to be? Can I click the car seats into it? Not one of those things is a real safety issue.
Now, of course, I am wondering what that says about me...that I am more concerned about where to put my drink, than how many safety bells and whistles it has..
I suppose that since I simply don't know of any 'super safety' strollers, especially not in my price range, I don't give it much thought. I get the best I can, with my money, and have to be at peace with it.
Right now, I have a Graco Duo-Glider, that has been run through the ringer since I had the boys two years ago. Hopefully it will hold out a while longer.
I loved my folding Maclaren.
I had a Graco, convertable pram/stroller for my kids, but once I got that Maclaren...
Seriously, I wanted more children just to justify keeping the thing.
I sold it to a resale shop.
The miracle baby. What is stronger a train or a Guardian Angel?
Well, maybe that mother is thanking our Good Lord extra every single day when she kisses that sweet little head.
A Pram for us needs to be small enough to squeeze into the car full of kids yet big enough to carry half a dozen bags on the handles. Preferably good big strong wheels for mountainous terrain, yet slim lined enough to fit through supermarket checkouts and funny little shops. And cheap enough too - preferably second hand.
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