Baby walker ban monitored

Plunket will continue to monitor the safety of baby walkers but will not try to have them banned.

Sue Campbell, Plunket's national child safety adviser, said the organisation was aware of a Canadian Government decision to ban the sale of baby walkers and would be watching the effects of that ban.

"We always said a ban was the best way to go but, in the meantime, Plunket will be keeping the Consumer Affairs Ministry up to date with our thinking," Ms Campbell said.

Canada became the first country in the world to ban the sale, advertising and import of baby walkers.

It said too many children were being injured by the devices.

Baby walkers, also called infant walkers, are much like a chair on wheels, designed for use by small children who are able to sit up but not yet walk on their own.

Children sit in the walker and propel themselves along with their feet.

"Health Canada has determined that these children do not have the necessary skills, reflexes or cognitive abilities to safely make use of these products," the Canadian health ministry said.

- NZPA