|
Baby walkers made illegal in Canada
I know this might not be news to some but for what it's worth:
| quote: | Ottawa banning import, resale of baby walkers
Last Updated Wed, 07 Apr 2004 18:31:17
OTTAWA - The federal government is imposing an outright ban on the import or sale of baby walkers, making Canada the first country to make the devices illegal.
The ban also includes the resale of walkers at flea markets and garage sales.
Health Minister Pierre Pettigrew is scheduled to make the announcement on Wednesday.
The devices are designed for babies who can sit up, but not walk on their own. Health Canada says the baby walkers can tip down stairs, or allow a child to reach dangerous items such as cooking pots.
A review of Canadian hospital admissions between April 1, 1990, and July 25, 1992, found 436 children under the age of about 18 months had been injured in walkers. Most suffered soft-tissue injuries, concussions, burns or fractures.
Other researchers have estimated that a full third of all babies using walkers will be injured. The devices allow them to travel quite a distance in a short period of time – before parents realize they are out of reach.
Since 1989, retailers have obeyed a voluntary ban on selling baby walkers, and no new models have been manufactured in Canada since then.
The federal government is bringing in tougher rules because more imported baby walkers have been reappearing in the marketplace in recent years, and parents don't seem as aware of the dangers as they once were.
|
source: LINK
___________________
Rocco's myspace here
|
