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TODDLER SEATS have increased in popularity over the past few years
but concerns have been raised over how their use affects the
stability of some strollers. This has prompted the review of AS/NZS
2088:2000 Prams and strollers - Safety requirements.
"The Standard aims to reduce the likelihood of injury to children,"
says Allie Breslin, Project Manager at Standards NZ. "It provides
manufacturers, regulators and consumers with minimum safety
requirements for strollers. Jogging and three wheeled strollers
also fall within the scope of this Standard and the review will
also include requirements for toddler seats."
Toddler seats are fitted high up on the frame of the stroller and
when occupied, change the centre of gravity. The stroller can then
become unstable, particularly if it was not designed to be fitted
with a toddler seat. Allie says that work is being carried out on
stability and performance testing for accessories that can be
fitted to strollers.
After the death of an infant in a stroller in Australia, the
coroner issued a recommendation stating that prams and strollers
should be required to undergo more rigorous stability testing. The
Standards committee is conducting trials for a new test method for
stability, to simulate a child in a situation where the stroller
may become unbalanced, which may cause the stroller to tip over,
trap and asphyxiate the infant.
The new edition of the Standard should be available mid-2007. For
more information about the review of the Standard for Prams and
Strollers - Safety requirements (AS/NZS 2088:2000), please contact
Allie Breslin, Project Manager at Standards NZ, e-mail allie.breslin@standards.co.nz,
phone 04 495 0925.
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