by Terra L. Fletcher

Created on: January 30, 2009   Last Updated: July 27, 2009

Would companies really sell baby gear that is unsafe for children? Unfortunately, yes. Aside from recalled items or products that are simply meant for older children, there are several popular baby items that are not safe. With new items hitting the shelves daily what should you be on the watch for? A little common sense and some simple baby product education can help you spot an unsafe item.

The Bumbo Baby Sitter is a baby seat with no straps. Does that sound like a good idea? Babies can easily arch their back and fall out of the seat. Bumbos were recalled after several infants sustained skull fractures. Bumbos now have a warning sticker and instruct that the seat only be set on the floor. The loving hands of a parent are the best props for a baby learning to sit on his own.

Parents are eager to see their baby reach each milestone. Every baby progresses at their own rate. Forcing a baby to perform a task before they are developmentally ready, is not helpful. Baby walkers, if you haven't already heard, are a bad idea. Walkers DO NOT improvean infants ability to walk. On the contrary, they have been shown to delay walking and crawling. Worse yet, babies in walkers are killed every year, usually from falling down stairs. Baby walkers are banned in several countries. Don't pick up an exersaucer or Jumperoo, either.

Is a diaper wipe warmer really necessary? I know some moms swear by them, but you can easily warm a wipe between your hands before using it. Save a few dollars by foregoing the convenience of pre-warmed wipes and save your baby from potential danger. Thousands of wipe warmers have been recalled for causing fires when they malfunction. Do you really want an electric box that heats up wet paper in the same room as your sleeping baby?

Warm mist humidifiers or vaporizers are equally dangerous. They are not only a fire risk, but a burn hazard to a mobile baby. Stick with a cool mist humidifier that won't burn baby if you must increase the moisture in the nursery.

When my husband and I brought our precious baby to the hospital for a weight check he was just four days old. We checked for recalls on the car seat and even attended a car seat safety check to learn how to properly secure our infant. We were surprised when the nurse told us not to use a neck support for our newborn baby. This popular item, she explained, can fall down behind a baby's head and neck in an accident. This leaves baby's head down and can make it impossible for him to breathe! If you don't want your sleeping infant to uncomfortably turn his head to one side, roll up two washcloths and place them on either side of his head (not around the top of it).

Another item that you should steer clear of in the car? Mirrors. You know, those handy little mirrors that you place to see your rear-facing baby? They become a deadly flying weapon in a crash. Also, make sure you don't leave any items sitting in the rear windshield of your car. These can be come projectiles in a collision.

Carefully look over baby products before you buy. Could baby fall, get caught or pinched? Could he be burned, or find something to choke on? Research baby gear before you buy. Be wary of "new" items. You don't want your baby to be the one to discover the defects of a product that has had only limited testing. Don't leave you baby unattended unless in a safe place, like a crib. For a sobering read, pick up the book "It's No Accident: How Corporations Sell Dangerous Baby Products." Babygizmo.com is also a great resource.

Learn more about this author, Terra L. Fletcher.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.