A step too far: Nine out of 10 baby walkers failed at least one of our safety checks.

Consumer NZ reviewed ten baby walkers available for sale in New Zealand. Baby walkers sold here must meet a Product Safety Standard set by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs. Of the 10 baby walkers tested, only 1 met all the standard’s requirements. The article concludes: "We strongly advise against putting your child in a baby walker, whether it meets a safety standard or not. A baby walker is not a safe place to leave a child. Because babies in walkers are much more mobile, and can move faster than a parent often expects, they can get into dangerous situations. Most injuries associated with baby walkers are caused by falls down steps, scalds, burns and poisonings from household chemicals. Some parents believe a baby walker will help a child learn to walk. Safekids, the national child-injury prevention service, says babies don't need baby walkers: “Time on their tummies rolling, crawling and stretching on the floor is what babies need for development." " The article has been followed by a front page article in the New Zealand Herald ("Walker fail safety test: Children at risk and parents don't realise it says watchdog" NZH, 10 May 2012, page A1, Safekids Director Ann Weaver is quoted - printed out copy attached). There have also been notices of product recalls of some of the walkers (copy attached). See: http://www.consumer.org.nz/reports/baby-walkers