40 Per Cent of Prams FAIL Safety Testing

Choice study has found 40 per cent of prams pose a strangling hazard.

In the study, small to big-name brands and the latest pram models were rated for child safety.

18 models from brands including iCandy, Stokke, Phil & Teds and Mountain Buggy failed stringent but sensible safety checks, which are currently voluntary for manufacturers.

“We’re testing the brakes, durability, whether there are entrapment risks, how stable the pram is, and whether the harness comes apart in a safe way,” Choice head of policy Sarah Agar told 7 News.

On a rolling rig for 64 hours, at 5km/hr, Choice tested how the prams mount kerbs, tackle hills and dips, and whether a child could fall out.

Choice tester Kim Gilmour demonstrated how easily a baby could fall out of one model because there was no head barrier.

“A baby could trap its head between the canopy and the seat,” she said.

The study also found strangulation hazards to be a real concern.

Five of the failed prams cost more than $1000 and one retailed at more than $2000.

Several at the bottom end of the price scale which failed the tests cost less than $500 dollars, with one being just $200.

pram

“It’s shocking to see so many prams fail Choice safety tests. That’s why we need stronger product safety laws,” Ms Agar said.

Choice is now calling for a compulsory safety standard that prams must comply with before they can be sold, and it also wants Australian laws to be changed so it’s illegal to sell unsafe products.

Did your pram pass the test?

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16 Comments

- - meedee said
  - 11 Jan 2023
    9:28 am
I am so stunned 40% is huge

- - rovermum said
  - 17 Dec 2018
    8:33 am
Interesting and concerning. See, a high price tag does not mean quality. Good for others to finally know that.

- - tessie said
  - 16 Dec 2018
    11:08 am
Both the highchair and pram I bought were Steelcraft. Never had a problem with them. Plus $1000 for a pram is a bit steep I would have thought. Not many soon to be parents could afford spending something like that.

- - Ellen said
  - 15 Dec 2018
    3:39 am
That so many prams fail the safety test is very concerning !

- - Blossom said
  - 14 Dec 2018
    10:43 pm
If you check the photos the majority of them have fixed position foot rests. Pressure at the wrong position can cause cramps or pins & needles in a child’s legs. Those issues also apply to a lot of highchairs. I’m glad to see Steelcraft and Mothercare aren’t on the lists.

- - ella12 said
  - 14 Dec 2018
    2:20 pm
40 per cent is pretty huge – that is shocking!

- - mom101628 said
  - 13 Dec 2018
    10:46 pm
Parents should be diligent when buying a pram.

- - ashna9 said
  - 13 Dec 2018
    9:10 pm
I can’t believe so many prams have failed to comply!

- - mom206279 said
  - 13 Dec 2018
    5:15 pm
Its not just kids at risk. I nearly took a finger off when it got caught when I was folding ours up to put it in the book of the car. Its sort of the nature of the beast with products that need to do what prams do. The trick it to be very vigilant while your kids are in them.

- - mom265671 said
  - 13 Dec 2018
    4:56 pm
Very surprised at some of the big names up there, sad it’s only voluntary

- - littlehandsofmine said
  - 13 Dec 2018
    4:30 pm
This is terrible to be honest, such a shock

- - BellaB said
  - 13 Dec 2018
    3:27 pm
This is a pretty big worry…

- - becstalou said
  - 13 Dec 2018
    1:35 pm
Definitely should have to pass safety tests they cost enough money.

- - nealsq said
  - 13 Dec 2018
    1:24 pm
Why are these tests not done before they are marketed? Really annoys me that safety is an after thought

- - Mum2archer said
  - 13 Dec 2018
    12:35 pm
That’s really not a good thing! You’re literally putting the most precious thing you have into these so you would expect them to be totally safe. Luckily mine isn’t on the list, and I didn’t end up going with a more expensive brand, as all the ones I looked at are on the list!!

- - mom290396 said
  - 13 Dec 2018
    11:09 am
Mines not on the list. It I knew it wouldn’t be coz if there was a fault of any time my boy would have found it and destroyed the whole thing!