News Release
2004-15
April 7, 2004
For immediate release
Minister Pettigrew announces a ban on baby walkers
OTTAWA - Health Minister Pierre Pettigrew today announced the Government
of Canada's immediate prohibition of the sale, advertisement and importation of baby walkers
in Canada.
"Canadians must know about the dangers posed to infants through the use of baby walkers," said
Minister Pettigrew. "It is the safety of our children that is of the most vital importance
and today I am pleased to announce that Canada is the first country in the world to ban
the sale of these products. I would also like to commend those businesses who complied
with a voluntary ban in the past."
This prohibition also applies to the sale of baby walkers as second-hand items and so they
may not be sold at flea markets or garage sales. Persons who already have baby walkers
are advised to permanently dismantle and dispose of them.
Baby walkers, also called infant walkers, are designed for use by children who are able
to sit up, but not yet able to walk on their own. Health Canada has determined that these
children do not have the necessary skills, reflexes or cognitive abilities to safely make
use of these products. Due to safety concerns, a voluntary retail industry ban on these
products had been in place since 1989. However, in recent years, more and more baby walkers
have found their way onto the Canadian market and as a result, injuries to children continue
to occur.
Typically, incidents linked to baby walkers involve head injuries that result from falls
down stairs. However, other injuries occur when the child in the baby walker is able to
reach dangerous objects that are otherwise inaccessible.
This prohibition has been implemented through an amendment to Part I of Schedule I to Hazardous
Products Act, as published in Part II of the Canada Gazette.
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Media Inquiries:
Margot Geduld/Carole Saindon
Health Canada
(613) 957-1588
Sébastien Théberge/Adèle Blanchard
Office of Minister Pettigrew
Minister of Health
Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs
Minister Responsible for Official Languages
(613) 957-0200
Pettigrew-Communications@hc-sc.gc.ca
Public Inquiries:
(613) 957-2991
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