If you are expecting a delivery stork to come drop off a lovely little bundle of joy all swaddled in cloth sometime soon, then you’re probably going to be rushing around everywhere trying to make sure that you have absolutely everything in place and ready for the arrival.
Something you may have overlooked (maybe you’re super observant and organised and you haven’t overlooked it at all, but stick with us here) is the pram or pushchair, whichever you are going for. A pram is incredibly important, and because your delicate little flower is going to be spending a fair bit of time in there, you want to make sure it’s perfectly safe and reliable.
Sadly, it can actually be rather problematic, finding the perfect pushchair. That’s why we’ve written this, in fact – we’re hoping we can extend a helping hand to all new parents! Read up and hopefully you’ll have a much easier time of things.
Does It Comply with Current Safety Regulations?
Under current British law, all prams and pushchairs have to comply with the British Standard of BS EN 1888. This was formerly the BS 7409, but has been recently updated. This applies to buggies both new and used, and it basically describes all the requirements it has to adhere to.
Look for “BS EN 1888” alongside the BSI Kitemark on the pushchair. Also, make sure you look out for the following few things – even more so if you’re purchasing second-hand.
How Are the Brakes?
One of the most important things about a pushchair or pram is the brakes. When it comes to your child, his or her safety is very much at risk if the brakes fail to function correctly.
Check how well the pushchair stays stopped, especially on a steep surface, and ensure that they’re easy to apply. Also, keep an eye on the tyres after you buy – tyre wear can negatively impact the brakes’ performance.
Is the Harness Secure?
Most pushchairs will have a built-in safety harness. This should go around the waist and over the shoulders, as well as through the legs. Whether you’re buying from Koochi or from Concord, you should check the harness is perfect. You won’t regret doing the extra research.
Is the Pushchair Stable?
This might seem silly, but you should weigh down the pushchair with a bag of shopping or something, in order to make sure it’s similarly weighted down as it would be when pushing around your bairn.
Once you’ve done that, give the pushchair a little, well… push. Make sure it handles nicely, in a way that you could easily manage on a day to day basis.
Does It Lock Firmly?
Pushchairs should be equipped with a pair of locking devices, which act to keep the buggy open and stable when it’s in use. Basically, you don’t want little Cieran to get trapped inside a collapsing pushchair; locking devices work to stop that happening.
When you’re folding and unfolding, make sure you adhere to the manner in which the instructions direct you – this will make sure everything’s working correctly.
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