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Shopping savvy

Take a hands-on approach to buying a high chair: Visit a store with a broad selection and put each model to the test. Here's how...

Open and close the fasteners on the seat's safety harness. Try them one-handed to make sure they're a cinch to use.

Check the tray. It should be easy to engage and disengage, but not so effortless that a baby could dislodge it. Ideally, your baby shouldn't be able to reach or even see tray latches.

Practice adjusting the seat height. Not all models have this feature, but adjustable seat heights can accommodate parents of very different statures and allow the high chair to be used at dining-table level.

Inspect the seat cover. Wipe-clean upholstery is best. It should also feel substantial, not flimsy. Check for seams that might scratch little legs.

Buying a model with wheels? Make sure that they have locks, or that the chair is designed to become immobilized by the weight of a baby.

Try folding it. Plan to stash it often? Fold it in the store. Some folding mechanisms are stiff or hard to manipulate.

Safe seating

• Keep your baby within view when she's in a high chair, and use the seat's harness every time.
• With chairs that fold, be sure the locking device is locked each time you set up the chair.
• If your high chair reclines or has a height adjustment, don't adjust it while your child is seated in it.
• Keep the chair away from any surface from which your child could push off with feet or hands and tip herself over. Also keep the chair away from window-blind, electrical, and phone cords (they're strangulation hazards).
• Inspect the chair regularly to make sure it's still in good shape. Are the seat's belt buckles still secure? Does the seat still lock into place at the right height? Are all caps and plugs (a.k.a. potential choking hazards) firmly attached? Stop using a chair that's damaged.

Copyright © 2002-2008 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc.

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