The process of purchasing baby furniture and other baby gear can be overwhelming for parents. With so many different types of baby items available on the market, how do parents go about making the safest purchases for their children?

"Being careful [about] what you purchase is the first step in preventing injuries with baby equipment," says Debra Holtzman, a nationally recognized child safety and health expert and author of The Safe Baby: A Do-It-Yourself Guide for Home Safety (Sentient Publications, 2004). "Look for the JPMA [Juvenile Products Manufacturer Association] certification label. And when using baby equipment, always follow the manufacturer's instructions on assembly, care and use. I recommend that parents try to shop at stores where the staff are knowledgeable about the products they sell so they can answer questions and provide guidance."

Baby walkers can prove dangerous to your little one, according to Holtzman. "Each year, an average of two children die as a result of baby walker-related injuries," she says. "In 2002, nearly 4,600 children ages 4 and under were treated in hospital emergency rooms for baby-walker related injuries. Both the American Academy of Pediatrics and National SAFE KIDS Campaign recommend not using wheeled baby walkers at all."

Instead, Holtzman recommends a stationary activity center. "Use it only for brief periods," she advises. "Your baby needs the exercise of crawling to develop coordination and strength in her arms and legs."

Content on this site is not a substitute for professional medical or healthcare advice, diagnosis or treatment, and may not be used for such purposes. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical question or condition. Reliance on information presented on this site is at your own risk. This site contains the opinions and views of other users. Given the interactive nature of this site, we cannot endorse, guarantee, or be responsible for the accuracy, efficacy, or veracity of any content generated by our users.