Health Canada recently issued a consumer product advisory alerting Canadians to the risks associated with purchasing baby walkers through eBay.ca. The advisory, released on Friday, flagged 10 specific models of baby walkers that are prohibited for sale in Canada due to safety concerns. Health Canada underscored that these products, which are illegal in the country, pose significant hazards to infants and reiterated the legal ban on baby walkers.
List of Hazardous Baby Walkers
The advisory detailed 10 baby walkers currently listed on eBay.ca that fail to meet Canadian safety regulations and remain illegal under Canadian law. The models include:
- Activity Baby Walker (Light Purple)
- Activity Walker Foldable 8-Wheel Musical (Purple)
- Activity Walker Foldable 8-Wheels Musical Multifunctional Walking (Light Purple)
- Activity Walker Plastic 8 Wheels Toddler Anti Rollover Music Box
- Activity Walker Toddler Plastic Music Box for Girls
- Activity Walking Rocker Baby Activity Walker 8 Wheels Sound Light Multi Function
- Activity Walking Rocker Folding Baby Activity Walker Sound 8 Wheels Multi (Blue)
- Baby Activity Walker Infant Activity Walker Light Multifunction 8 Wheels (Blue)
- Infant Activity Walker Baby Activity Walker Sound Anti Drop Multi Function 8
- Toddler Activity Walker (Light Purple)
Each of these baby walkers is designed with a removable fabric base, which can be detached, allowing the infant’s feet to touch the floor. Health Canada warns that this design feature opens up the child to a range of potential hazards.
Safety Hazards Associated with Baby Walkers
Health Canada’s advisory outlines specific dangers posed by these baby walkers. The agency explains that, unlike other baby equipment, walkers provide mobility that allows infants to reach hazardous areas they would not typically be able to access on their own. This increased range can expose children to household hazards, posing a significant risk of injury.
“Children in baby walkers are exposed to hazards that would not normally be accessible if the child were not supported by the walker,” Health Canada noted. “Children in baby walkers can also fall down stairs, which could result in injury or death.”
The advisory warns that the increased mobility provided by baby walkers creates a false sense of independence, enabling infants to approach potentially dangerous objects, chemicals, and stairways. Falls are a primary concern, with the risk of infants falling down stairs, leading to severe injuries or fatalities.
Recurring Warnings from Health Canada
This warning is part of a larger, ongoing effort by Health Canada to keep baby walkers off the Canadian market. Earlier in the month, Health Canada issued a similar advisory regarding a different set of baby walkers available online, which also posed risks to toddlers.
The Canadian government is urging parents and guardians to “immediately stop using” these walkers and dispose of them in a manner that ensures they are permanently out of circulation. Health Canada recommends disposing of these items in a way that renders them unusable to prevent them from being resold or used by other families.
Consumers who may have experienced health or safety incidents related to these products are encouraged to report their experiences by filling out Health Canada’s Consumer Product Incident Report Form. This reporting process aids Health Canada in tracking incidents and preventing further risks to Canadian families.
A History of Baby Walker Restrictions in Canada
Canada has a long-standing prohibition on the sale and use of baby walkers, which has been in place since 2004. This ban includes second-hand sales of these products at garage sales, flea markets, and other resale locations. The prohibition is an effort to prevent the reintroduction of these hazardous items into Canadian households.
Before the 2004 legislation, the retail industry implemented a voluntary ban on baby walkers as early as 1989. Retailers stopped selling the walkers based on safety data, and the government’s eventual ban reflected concerns that the devices posed a consistent threat to infants’ safety.
In conclusion, Health Canada’s recent advisory serves as a reminder of the risks associated with baby walkers. By identifying and warning against these 10 specific models available on eBay.ca, Health Canada emphasizes the importance of adhering to Canadian safety standards and urges consumers to discontinue the use of these prohibited products.
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