Consider these facts - they may help prevent injury to your baby or even death!

If you are thinking about buying a baby walker please consider the following facts concerning injuries in the UK alone that were detailed in a recent study carried out by Cardiff University.

* In 2002, 2350 babies were taken to hospital after being injured whilst in a baby walker (Department for Trade and Industry factsheet 2004)

* In 2000, The Chartered Society of Physiotherapists called for a complete ban on the sale of baby walkers after evidence that they accounted for over 4,000 injuries a year in the UK.

* In 1999, 3,300 babies were taken to hospital after being injured in a baby walker. (SWERCOTS)

* In 1997, there were over 5,000 baby walker related accidents in the UK. (Association of Paediatric Chartered Physiotherapists).

* Baby walkers are now known to be the cause of more injuries in babies than any other nursery product.

* Coats and Allen conducted a study of infants under two years of age attending the A&E department at Leicester Royal Infirmary and found that baby walker injury occurred with virtually the same frequency as injuries caused by road traffic accidents.

And in other parts of the world............

* In 1997, The American Academy of Paediatrics estimated that over 14,000 injuries a year were caused by baby walkers in the US. However, other reports suggest this figure is actually nearer 25,000. (US Consumer Product Safety Commission).

* 34 children have died in the US since 1973 as a result of a baby walker injury. (American Academy of Paediatrics 1997)

* In Australia baby walkers are the second most common factor associated with poisonings in children under 12 months old. (Gaudrealt 1996)

* In Canada over 1,000 babies are injured every year using baby walkers despite there being a total ban on the sale of baby walkers in the country. (Hewitt 2003)

* In Greece results of a study reported 49 baby walker injuries at one Athens hospital within the course of a single year which included three fractures, a second degree facial burn and six resulting in prolonged hospitalisation.

* In Singapore an average of 21 infants per 167 using a baby walker sustained at least one injury.

* Studies across several countries have concluded that as many as 50% of parents have reported injuries to their child resulting from use of baby walkers. It is estimated that many more accidents go unreported.

If you would like further information may I suggest you take a look at my other guide entitled 'THE DANGER OF BABY WALKERS - BANNED IN SOME COUNTRIES!'

The Organisation 'CHILD SAFE WALES' is currently looking at the training of Health Practitioners and all those working with children and Parents about the potential dangers of baby walkers. Their downloadable training pack can also be viewed online.

Check out my other 'baby related' guides too as listed below:

*Buying second hand baby products - what you should know

* Guide to buying or selling a second hand pram /pushchair

* What you should know about buying and using a cot

* Get FREE products for new babies, Mums and Mums-to-be

* Buying a pram - which type is best for you & your baby?

* Baby & child car seats - The Legal Requirements

* Bathing your baby - a guide for all new Mums 

* Baby clothing - Essential shopping list for Mums-to-be

* How to make your home safe for a baby or toddler

Thank you for reading my guide and I hope that the information was of interest to you. If you found it helpful then I would appreciate it if you clicked on the 'yes' button below.