Before investing in a pushchair or pram, it’s important to make sure they’re safe enough for your baby. Baby nursery specialists Babythingz takes us through all the safety pointers you need to check in order to ensure the safety of your little one when carried in a pram or pushchair.
Product Manufacturer Safety Standards Compliance
Look out for codes BS 7409 or BSEN 1888:2003, which would indicate that the item, whether bought new or used, complies with either the British Standard/European Standard 1888: 2012 or British Standard/European Standard EN 1888:2003.
It has now become law that every upholstered pushchair and pram is in full compliance with stringent flammability requirements, as part of the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988. A label with the phrase ‘CARELESSNESS CAUSES FIRE’ needs to be present, whether it’s a new or used pram.
Pram / Pushchair Checklist
- Brakes
- Safety Harness
- Wheels
- Injury Prevention Mechanisms
Your Legal Rights
As a customer, you have the following rights which protect you and your purchase:
The seller of the pushchair or pram must have the legal right to sell it to you, so they have to own it before selling it to you.
All the features which the pram or pushchair is claimed to have must be present, which means it must be as described.
The quality of the pram or pushchair must be satisfactory, taking into account its description, its condition, its appearance, its finish, its safety level, its durability, its price and that the need for it to be free of all minor defects.
The sample you were provided with must match the pram or pushchair which was sold to you, if you were provided with a sample.
Similarly, the model which was provided to you must match the pram or pushchair sold to you, if you had been provided with a model of the pram or pushchair.
The trader selling you the pram or pushchair needs to provide you with one which fits the particular purpose you requested to meet your needs.
The Consumer Rights Act of 2015 lists all the statutory rights you have, but you need to be aware that you are not entitled if any of the following applies:
- You were aware of any faults prior to making the purchase
- A fault was so obvious that it would have been noticed upon examination prior to the purchase, as far as is reasonable of course
- You caused any of the damages
- You made a mistake when completing the purchase, for example if you may have selected the wrong colour when ordering
- You had a change of mind about the pram or pushchair for which purchase you’ve completed
If you follow these tips then you shouldn’t really have any problems finding a pram or pushchair that meets all your requirements, both in terms of how it looks and how it functions. Most importantly however, it should be safe for your baby, whether it’s just sitting in the house between strolls or if you’re out and about with baby.