I need to purchase a highchair for my seven-month-old baby. What should I look out for when buying this equipment?

Accidents involving highchairs injure around 3,400 people each year, according to figures from the Department of Trade and Industry‘s (DTI) Home and Leisure Accident Surveillance System database. Therefore it is important to select and use your child’s highchair with care.

A European safety standard for highchairs has not been agreed upon, so the only standard currently in use is the British Standard EN 14988:2006, Specification for safety requirements for children's highchairs and multi-purpose highchairs for domestic use. Ensure that the chair you choose conforms to this standard for strength, safety and stability.

Other things to consider:

• Choose a chair with a harness and shoulder straps; a lap belt alone is neither supportive nor secure and babies may slip out. Check that the harness conforms to BS 6684: 1989, Specification for safety harnesses (including detachable walking reins) for restraining children when in perambulators (baby carriages), pushchairs and highchairs and when walking
• Position the highchair away from tables or other surfaces which may be kicked against and threaten the stability of the chair
• Ensure there’s a crotch strap or bar to stop the child slipping out of the highchair
• Choose a highchair with a removable or adjustable tray so that it’s easier to lift your child in and out
• Above all, supervise your baby closely at all times.