When choosing an umbrella stroller, parents need to consider a few important things to ensure their child's safety while traveling in it.
Harness System to Secure Baby Safely in Stroller
A 5-point safety harness secures the baby safely. It is considered to be better than a 3-point safety harness, because it secures the upper body as well. Parents should choose a model with a durable well padded shoulder straps and a nice strap, which keep the small or big baby from slipping out. A lot of them are manufactured out of thick nylon material.
Buckles should be easy for a parent to do, however impossible for a child to undo. In case mom and dad are shopping with their little one, they have to check the seat belt in order to ensure it feels good under hand and fits closely around the little one.
Certain models feature just crotch and waist straps however a lot of them feature an adjustable 5-point safety harness, much like those found in race car seats as well as fighter-airplanes, which keeps the child from slipping or falling out in case the stroller accidentally tips, or getting out on the street when parents are not paying attention.
Wheels on Stroller
The all-terrain vehicle syndrome has carried over into the world of strollers with very big wheels and an off-road look. General rule of thumb goes: The bigger the wheels, the easier it is to handle curbs as well as uneven terrains. On the other hand, big wheels occupy too much car trunk space.
A lot of models these days come equipped with double wheels on the front that swivel 360 degrees to make maneuvering much easier. Front wheels have two positions – full swivel for maneuvering through busy sidewalks and crowded shopping malls or locked in one forward-facing position for a smooth straight ride. Some 3-wheel models feature a front wheel that does not swivel. Those strollers are usually more difficult to steer.
Stroller's Brake an Important Consideration
One-touch brakes work quickly. This makes handling a lot easier, but this is considered to be a high-end feature. This feature is found on Quinny strollers. This breaking system is a bit more user-friendly when compared to foot-operated brakes. Some foot operated parking brakes are linked. This feature can be found on models such as Maclaren Volo.
Some other umbrella strollers require two actions and are equipped foot-operated levers above both back wheels. Parents should learn to avoid strollers which can seriously hurt the feet when they engage or disengage parking brakes with sandals. Furthermore, some umbrella jogging strollers feature bicycle-type hand-operated brakes. More expensive models come equipped with hand-operated brakes on the front and/or back wheels.
Five-Second/One-Hand Fold
This is a must-have when moms and dads need to close or unfold the stroller using only one hand while holding their child with the other. The best strollers fold down in a matter of seconds. Those models that stay upright when closed are very practical when putting the unit inside a wardrobe closet. However, parents should ensure their baby cannot reach it or knock it over.
No doubt umbrella stroller manufacturers make endless efforts to load their products with the best features; however, buying decisions are usually motivated by value for money.
Branko Nikolowski - Branko Nikolowski is a full-time wood sculptor and wood-carving tutor who currently resides in Serbia. Although he studied law at the ...
Join the Conversation