Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Infant Walkers¹

INTRODUCTION

This consumer safety specification addresses walker incidents that were identified by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

Based on data collected by the CPSC, the majority of incidents involved children falling down stairs or steps in walkers. Other incidents involved children tipping over in walkers or accessing hot surfaces or liquids. The injuries associated with these incidents ranged from cuts and bruises to burns, skull fractures, and deaths. Most of the children injured were under 15 months old.

In response to the incident data provided by the CPSC, this consumer safety specification attempts to minimize the risk of injury or death associated with children in walkers falling down stairs or between levels, or tipping over. It also contains provisions to address the risk of injury associated with walker seating systems and folding mechanisms.

1. Scope

2. Referenced Documents

2.1 ASTM Standards:²

• D3359 Test Methods for Measuring Adhesion by Tape Test
• F963 Consumer Safety Specification for Toy Safety

² For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.

2.2 Federal Regulations: ³

• 16 CFR 1303 Ban of Lead-Containing Paint and Certain Consumer Products Bearing Lead-Containing Paint
• 16 CFR 1500 Hazardous Substances Act Regulations Including Sections:
  • 1500.48 Technical Requirements for Determining a Sharp Point in Toys or Other Articles Intended for Use by Children Under Eight Years of Age
  • 1500.49 Technical Requirements for Determining a Sharp Metal or Glass Edge in Toys or Other Articles Intended for Use by Children Under Eight Years of Age
  • 1500.50-.52 Test Methods for Simulating Use and Abuse of Toys and Other Articles Intended for Use by Children
• 16 CFR 1501 Method for Identifying Toys and Other Articles Intended for Use by Children Under Three Years of Age Which Present Choking, Aspiration, or Ingestion Hazards Because of Small Parts

³ Available from U.S. Government Printing Office, N. Capital and H Streets, NW, Washington, DC 20401.

3. Terminology

3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:

FIG. 1 Illustrations of Five Types of Baby Walkers

4. Calibration and Standardization

5. General Requirements

FIG. 2 Opening Examples

5.7 Labeling

6. Performance Requirements

NOTE 1 — The forces that are to be applied to the sample in the tests described in Section 7 of this specification are readily applied by means of a calibrated force gauge, or in the case of static load and dynamic load tests, by fixed masses.

6.1 Stability

NOTE — Dimensions are based on a 5th percentile 6-month-old child. Gauge may be modified to facilitate testing to allow for pulling of the gauge.

FIG. 3 Small Head Test Probe

7. Test Methods

NOTE 2 — Except for the structural integrity tests (see 7.1), that shall be performed first, the tests can be performed in any sequence.

7.1 Structural Integrity (see 6.2)

NOTE 3 — All wood blocks are fabricated from 1 in. nominal thickness lumber having a finish thickness of ¾ in. (19 mm) unless otherwise stated.

7.1.1 Dynamic Load (see 6.2.1):

NOTE — Caps furnished to ANSI standards unless otherwise specified. Welding caps are formed from steel plate and are ellipsoidal in shape. The minor axis being equal to one half the major axis radii “R” and “r” closely approximate the actual semi-ellipsoidal shape. All dimensions in inches and are in accordance with ANSI B16.9.

FIG. 4 Nominal 6 in. Weld Cap Weight (Approximately) 6.4 lb

7.1.2 Static Load (see 6.2.2):

7.1.3 Leg Openings Test (see 6.2.3):

7.2 Latching or Locking Mechanisms (see 5.3)

7.3 Stability Test (see 6.1)

7.3.2 Forward Tip Resistance:

FIG. 5 Placement of CAMI Infant Dummy

FIG. 6 Tip Resistance Setup

7.3.3 Rear Tip Resistance:

⁴ CAMI Infant Dummy (Mark II), Department of Transportation, Memorandum Report AAC-119-74-14, Revision II, Drawing No. SA-1101 (see Fig. 7).

NOTE — This CAMI Infant Dummy was constructed in accordance with the Department of Transportation Specification dated April 29, 1975.

FIG. 7 CAMI Infant Dummy—Mark II

7.3.4 Occupant Leaning Outward Over Edge of Walker (see 6.1.2 ):

NOTE — X inches depends on height of walker, Y = height of walker tray or uppermost frame member.

FIG. 8 Leaning Over Setup

NOTE 4 — 32 in. is the maximum height of the user.

7.4 Permanency of Labels and Warnings (see 5.7)

7.4.4 Adhesion Test for Warnings Applied Directly onto the Surface of the Product:

7.5 Removal of Components (see 5.8)

7.5.4 Tension Test:

FIG. 9 Tension Test Adaptor/Clamp

7.6 Step(s) Tests (see 6.3) (Refer to Table 1 and Fig. 10)

7.6.1 Walker and Dummy Positioning for Step Tests:

FIG. 10 Test Platform

7.6.3 Forward Facing Step Test:

$d_{\mathrm{CAMI}}=\frac{(V_f^2-V_o^2)*(W_{\mathrm{CAMI}}+W_{\mathrm{walker}}+W_{\text{drop weight}})}{2g\left(W_{\text{drop weight}}-{\mu }_k{N}_{\mathrm{CAMI}}\right)}$ (1)

where:

V_f = maximum velocity of walker at edge of platform (4 ft/s)

V_o = initial velocity (0)

W_CAMI = measured weight of CAMI dummy

W_walker = weight of walker

W_{drop weight} = drop weight (8 lb)

µ_k = dynamic coefficient of friction (0.05)

N_CAMI = normal force (for CAMI dummy scenario) (weight of CAMI dummy + walker)

g = acceleration of gravity (32.2 ft/s²)

Position the swivel wheels in such a way that the walker moves forward in a straight line parallel to Plane A.

FIG. 11 Dummy Position for Forward Facing Test

$d_{\mathrm{CAMI\; w/vest}}=\frac{(V_f^2-V_o^2)*(W_{\text{CAMI w/vest}}+W_{\mathrm{walker}}+W_{\text{drop weight}})}{2g\left(W_{\text{drop weight}}-{\mu }_k{N}_{\text{CAMI w/vest}}\right)}$ (2)

where:

V_f = maximum velocity of walker at edge of platform (4 ft/s)

V_o = initial velocity (0)

W_{CAMI w/vest} = measured weight of CAMI dummy and weighted vest

W_walker = weight of walker

W_{drop weight} = drop weight (8 lb)

µ_k = dynamic coefficient of friction (0.05)

N_{CAMI w/vest} = normal force (for CAMI dummy fitted with 11 lb vest scenario) (weight of CAMI dummy + vest + walker)

g = acceleration of gravity (32.2 ft/s²)

FIG. 12 Weighted Vest

7.6.4 Sideward Facing Step Test:

$d_{\mathrm{CAMI}}=\frac{(V_f^2-V_o^2)*(W_{\text{CAMI}}+W_{\mathrm{walker}}+W_{\text{drop weight}})}{2g\left(W_{\text{drop weight}}-{\mu }_k{N}_{\text{CAMI}}\right)}$ (3)

where:

V_f = maximum velocity of walker at edge of platform (2 ft/s)

V_o = initial velocity (0)

W_CAMI = measured weight of CAMI dummy

W_walker = weight of walker

W_{drop weight} = drop weight (8 lb)

µ_k = dynamic coefficient of friction (0.05)

N_CAMI = normal force (for CAMI dummy scenario) (weight of CAMI dummy + walker)

g = acceleration of gravity (32.2 ft/s²)

Position the swivel wheels in such a way that the walker moves sideward in a straight line parallel to Plane B.

FIG. 13 Dummy Position for Sideward Test

$d_{\mathrm{CAMI\; w/vest}}=\frac{(V_f^2-V_o^2)*(W_{\text{CAMI w/vest}}+W_{\mathrm{walker}}+W_{\text{drop weight}})}{2g\left(W_{\text{drop weight}}-{\mu }_k{N}_{\text{CAMI w/vest}}\right)}$ (4)

where:

V_f = maximum velocity of walker at edge of platform (2 ft/s)

V_o = initial velocity (0)

W_{CAMI w/vest} = measured weight of CAMI dummy and weighted vest

W_walker = weight of walker

W_{drop weight} = drop weight (8 lb)

µ_k = dynamic coefficient of friction (0.05)

N_{CAMI w/vest} = normal force (for CAMI dummy fitted with 11 lb vest scenario) (weight of CAMI dummy + vest + walker)

g = acceleration of gravity (32.2 ft/s²)

7.6.5 Rearward Facing Step Test:

$d_{\mathrm{CAMI}}=\frac{(V_f^2-V_o^2)*(W_{\text{CAMI}}+W_{\mathrm{walker}}+W_{\text{drop weight}})}{2g\left(W_{\text{drop weight}}-{\mu }_k{N}_{\text{CAMI}}\right)}$ (5)

where:

V_f = maximum velocity of walker at edge of platform (4 ft/s)

V_o = initial velocity (0)

W_CAMI = measured weight of CAMI dummy

W_walker = weight of walker

W_{drop weight} = drop weight (8 lb)

µ_k = dynamic coefficient of friction (0.05)

N_CAMI = normal force (for CAMI dummy scenario) (weight of CAMI dummy + walker)

g = acceleration of gravity (32.2 ft/s²)

Position the swivel wheels in such a way that the walker moves rearward in a straight line parallel to Plane A. If the walker has an open back base design, attach the ends of a lightweight bar to the back of the walker near the wheels using loops of cord to allow the bar to float. The distance between the attachment points on the bar and those on the walker must be equal to prevent pulling the wheels inward or outward during the test. The cord from the 8-lb (3.6-kg) weight is then attached to the bar halfway between the attachment points (see Fig. 14).

FIG. 14 Open Back Base

FIG. 15 Dummy Position for Rear Facing Test

$d_{\mathrm{CAMI\; w/vest}}=\frac{(V_f^2-V_o^2)*(W_{\text{CAMI w/vest}}+W_{\mathrm{walker}}+W_{\text{drop weight}})}{2g\left(W_{\text{drop weight}}-{\mu }_k{N}_{\text{CAMI w/vest}}\right)}$ (6)

where:

V_f = maximum velocity of walker at edge of platform (4 ft/s)

V_o = initial velocity (0)

W_CAMI = measured weight of CAMI dummy

W_walker = weight of walker

W_{drop weight} = drop weight (8 lb)

µ_k = dynamic coefficient of friction (0.05)

N_CAMI = normal force (for CAMI dummy scenario) (weight of CAMI dummy + walker)

g = acceleration of gravity (32.2 ft/s²)

7.7 Parking Device Test (see 6.4)

7.7.4 Forward Facing Test of Parking Devices:

7.7.5 Sideward Facing Test of Parking Devices:

7.7.6 Rearward Facing Test of Parking Devices:

8. Marking and Labeling

⚠ WARNING
Never leave child unattended. Always keep child in view while in walker.

WARNING: Parking brake use does not totally prevent walker movement. Always keep child in view when in the walker, even when using the parking brakes.

⚠ WARNING—STAIR HAZARD
Avoid serious injury or death
Block stairs/steps securely before using walker even when using parking brake

1. The statement “even when using parking brake” applies only to walkers equipped with a parking brake.

9. Instructional Literature

Read all instructions before assembly and use of the walker.
Keep instructions for future use.

9.2 Warning Statements with the Instructional Literature:

1. Do not use the walker if it is damaged or broken.
2. Do not use until baby can sit up by itself.
3. Address the following if the walker uses friction devices to pass the stair test: Clean (friction components) regularly to maintain stopping performance.

10. Keywords

APPENDIX
(Nonmandatory Information)

X1. RATIONALE

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