Umbrella strollers are essentially cloth or vinyl chairs on a set of plastic wheels, and you can fold them down for convenience. While lightweight and easy to use, there are several important safety points to remember when using umbrella strollers. The same features that make these strollers so attractive to parents also present potential safety hazards for your baby.
Advantages
The umbrella stroller is one of the smallest and cheapest types of strollers available. It has many advantages that parents use almost daily. So named because of the curved double handles that resemble those of an umbrella, these strollers are lightweight, collapsible and easy to use. Often, they weigh less than 5 pounds, and can fold into an easy-to-carry form parents can take practically anywhere.
Tipping
Unfortunately, the lightweight designs of these strollers come at the expense of sturdiness. Tipping can be a common safety hazard. To test your stroller's stability, put a purse or bag over the handles to see if it tips the stroller backward. Another test is putting a purse or bag into the back of the stroller. As a parent, you will carry extra items with you wherever you go, and your stroller must be able to handle that safely.
Seatbelts
Securely buckle your baby into the umbrella stroller at all times. Because of their lighter, folding design, umbrella strollers can present a safety hazard when unsecured children lean over the sides or turn around in the seats. A 2000 study by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission found most stroller-related injuries resulted from falls from the stroller.
Locking Device/Hinges
The convenient folding ability of an umbrella stroller can present a safety hazard to both the parent and the baby. When folding and unfolding the stroller, keep your hands and the baby's hands far away from any moving or snapping parts. Additionally, before you place your baby in the stroller, ensure all locking devices are in their fully-locked positions. An unlocked stroller can fold with the infant inside.
Brakes
Buy an umbrella stroller with a set of brakes, and use them when you stop for a lengthy period. Strollers without brakes can be potentially hazardous in parking lots, sloped areas and hills.
