ACICR 2007 -2008 Annual Report Addendum - Alberta Centre for ...

Goal 5:
Increase the profile of the injury issue, causes and solutions through focused
advocacy efforts.
Baby Walkers – Position Statement and Response to Board of Review
Background
Baby walkers are considered to be an inherently dangerous product, exposing
infants to injury from falls down stairs and from pulling objects down on
themselves that they would otherwise be unable to reach.
In 1989, representatives of the baby walker industry in Canada addressed the
risk of injuries known to be associated with baby walkers by voluntarily
adopting a safety standard for baby walkers. Voluntary adherence to this
standard became a de facto ban and was effective for many years in restricting
the sale of baby walkers in Canada. As time passed, there was increasing
evidence that baby walkers were slowly making their way back into the
Canadian marketplace. As a result, in 2004 Health Canada instituted a ban on
the importation, sale or advertising of baby walkers in Canada.
However, the ban was challenged and in September 2006 Health Canada
convened a Board of Review to inquire into the "nature and characteristics" of
baby walkers, and to hear representation and evidence from any person affected
by the prohibition.
Goal
Objective
Status
To reduce the number of infants injured in baby walkers by seeing the ban of
the importation, sale or advertising of baby walkers in Canada upheld.
To prepare an evidenced-based position statement and submission to the Board
of Review supporting the ban.
The submission was accepted as evidence by the Board of Review. In its
analysis on nature and characteristics, the Board of Review determined that a
baby walker is hazardous in nature, in that its characteristics and their
consequences are imbued with elements of risk and danger. The Board of
Review has unanimously agreed that the ban implemented by the Government
of Canada on the advertising, sale and importation of baby walkers was justified
on the basis of the available evidence. Our submission is posted on the ACICR
website under the Advocacy tab.
Partners & Sponsors • Chinook Health Region
• East Central Health Region
• KidSafe Connection, Capital Health
• Northern Lights Health Region
• Safe Kids Canada
Contact
Ms. Cathy Gladwin, Policy Analyst
Phone: (780) 492-9218
Email: cathy.gladwin@ualberta.ca
Alberta Centre for Injury Control & Research Page 49 of 66 Annual Report Addendum 2007/2008