High Chair Safety

Certification, safety features, and safety tips
For many parents, safety is the first consideration when buying a high chair, and for good reason. Product recalls and tales of babies choking or being injured by unsafe high chairs emphasize the importance of buying a chair that is certified and designed for maximum safety. Keep the following considerations in mind as you shop for a safe high chair.

High Chair Certification High chairs that bear a certification sticker have met the voluntary standards of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) as tested by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA). The ASTM test requirements for high chairs include: Drop tests of tray Disengagement tests of tray Load and stability tests of chair Protection from exposed coil springs Scissoring, shearing, and pinching Accessible holes and openings tested for entrapment hazards Restraining system tests using a test child dummy A JPMA-certified high chair must have a passive restraint and a locking device to prevent accidental folding, among other design features.

High Chair Safety Features
Certification is important, but you should also choose a high chair that was built with well-designed safety features. A high chair with a wide, stable base may take up more room, but it will also be less likely to tip over. As for high chair straps, a five-point harness is better than a simple waist strap. The chair should also have a crotch post to prevent the baby from sliding down. High chairs that have wheels or height adjustment mechanisms should have strong locks that are easy to operate. And though it's more of a convenience issue than a safety issue, you'll want high chair pads or high chair cushions that are comfortable, durable, and machine-washable.

High Chair Safety Tips
Safe high chair usage isn't just a matter of features and certification. It's also about proper application of those features and consistent awareness of your baby's safety. The most important action parents can take is to always use high chair straps. Yes, it can be tedious or time-consuming to fasten and unfasten them every time, but straps are the number one safety feature that a high chair provides. Make sure that all locks are securely fastened. Above all, be attentive to your child when he or she is in the high chair.