3 Wheel Prams - Are they really safe?
By Gemmygirl1
@Gemmygirl1 (2867)
Australia
April 27, 2007 8:09pm CST
I have been thinking about this for a while now, i never bought one coz i thought they were just ugly. I know they are popular with many people especially people who are very active.
My question is, are these 3 wheeled prams really as safe as the manufacturers claim they are?
I only ask because in the past 5 months, there have been 2 deaths here in South Australia alone.
The first was a woman who was talking with her 5 month old son when they pram tipped over & slid in to the river - her son drowned.
The second was less than a month ago, a grandmother was walking her 10 month old granddaughter when, just like the first one, the pram tipped over & slid in to the river (they were on level concrete footpaths so that wasn't the cause)- they got the baby out but she died later in hospital due to lack of oxygen to the brain (i believe).
Does anyone out there in myLot land have one of these 3 wheeler prams & what are your thoughts on them? How safe are they really?
I'd like to hear from people who have one of these prams or from someone who knows someone who uses one - just to get an idea on whether they should be banned coz the fact they tipped over so easily tells me they're far from safe.
2 people like this
7 responses
@4cuteboys (4099)
• United States
7 May 07
I had one for awhile, it was okay, I never worried about it tipping, it was very sturdy. It also had brakes for the wheels, and a hand brake at the top for emergencies. I got rid of it though because I wasn't jogging with it, and I too thought it was big and ugly. It was nice when I had to push it over grass and stuff. The big wheels made it easier. I've never heard of that happening, that's pretty scary.
2 people like this
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
1 May 07
My son had one when he was a baby and it was a gift from my inlaws. I found them pretty good to use, easy to maneuver when out and about (sometimes difficult when in a mall or store as they are a little big). It's also heavy to lift when putting it into the boot or on a bus, so I also had a stroller on hand too. I would not have bought one for myself though because they are expensive.
My son hasn't had any problems with "tipping" over or falling out of the seat. We always made sure the seat belt was around him and secure. I think they were more suited for out-door type areas, rugged roads and being in Samoa (with bad roads/footpaths), it was well suited. A few of my friends had them (because it was the "in" thing to buy) and even though they looked good, they mostly complained about it being too big and heavy.
I found ours to be safe and I only used it to take him for walks and when we went shopping.
1 person likes this
@sedel1027 (17846)
• Cupertino, California
30 Apr 07
Here in the US the only people I have ever seen using these are people who are exercising (jogging with their babies in storllers0 I tried to do some research on deaths here and didn't find any. I think if they were really dangerous they would not be on the market. I don't know how they are priced by you, but here all of the strollers with three wheels are really expensive.
1 person likes this
@Gemmygirl1 (2867)
• Australia
30 Apr 07
They're expensive here too - the first drowning by the tipping 3 wheeler was being pushed by a model i think so she was out doing her exercising - she stopped to answer her phone & the pram just tipped over.
They're trying to have them taken off the market, think about it this way - have you ever known a 4 wheeled pram to tip over sideways without help?
Thanks for your thoughts on this though!
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
1 May 07
Well, from the stories you have listed here I would not ever purchase one of these for my grandbabies. I remember the old carriages that enclosed the baby. They could lay down in the carriage. The top flipped up to protect the baby from the elements and you could attach a mesh screen to keep the bugs out. The baby was comfortable and there was room to put a diaper bag, etc. There was a foot brake on the wheel to stop the wheels from turning. I wish they would bring the older carriages back.
1 person likes this
@fawcey (926)
• Australia
5 May 07
I read about this also, I couldn't believe it when it happened the second time! I never considered one either cos I too thought they were ugly, but now I think maybe they also aren't as sturdy as the four wheelers, and if there is a safety problem then it should be properly checked out before any other accidents or deaths happen.
@Woodpigeon (3710)
• Ireland
7 May 07
I see people using them all the time and didn't know there was any question of safety with them.
The ones that definately aren't safe are those little lightweight umbrella type buggies. We were given one of those and it used to tip over backwards.
I like the standard 4 wheeled prams with a canopy and under carriage storage. They might be a bit bulky and unweildy, but they are sturdy and we never had any accidents with them.
@deedles88 (297)
• Australia
14 May 07
Ive had both. We keep a 4 wheeler in the car for when we are out shopping and I keept a 3 wheeler at home for when I go out for walks with my 'mums group'. I think they are great, some are big and bulky and ugly. But in the end they all have to pass the same safety tests, and there has probably been 4 wheeler deaths that havent been mentioned. Its up to you thought, but I do like the 3 wheeler, its easier for me to control.
