Shocking New Study Shines Light on Baby Stroller Accidents

Parents should be aware of surprising new information about the risk of injury to the babies from accidents involving strollers and baby carriers, as a new study demonstrates.

A research team led by Kristi Roberts of Nationwide Children’s Hospital’s Center for Injury Research and Policy showed that two children suffer injury from carrier and stroller accidents every hour in the United States.

Roberts stated that in the study, which covered data from 1990 through 2010, the most common injuries were to the head. Per Roberts and her colleagues: “traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and concussions in young children may have long-term consequences on cognitive development.”

Most of the injuries in the study resulted from falls, followed by tipping of the stroller or baby carrier. Fortunately, the research team also identified some simple safety precautions that parents can take to avoid these types of accidents.

Parents should always ensure their baby is properly buckled into the stroller or baby carrier. Stay alert, and avoid using your mobile phone while walking and pushing stroller. Doctors also caution parents against hanging heavy bags off of the stroller handles, which could cause the stroller to tip over.

Doctors also note that parents should be sure they’re using a stroller or carrier that’s appropriate for their child’s size and weight, and that caregivers should never leave a baby unattended in a stroller or baby carrier, even for a second.

For more information on baby product safety, see our post The Dangers of Letting Baby Sleep in a Car Seat.

If you or a loved one has suffered an injury, and you believe a caregiver’s negligence or carelessness made things worse, our D.C. injury attorneys can help you and your family understand how to seek compensation. Call us today for a free consultation.