New Federal Standard to Improve Safety of High Chairs Takes Effect

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) approved a new federal mandatory safety standard to make high chairs safer for both home and restaurant use. The new mandatory standard, which aims to prevent deaths and injuries to infants and toddlers, applies to any infant high chair manufactured or imported on or after June 19, 2019.

What are the new rules?

High chairs must meet requirements for stability and restraint systems, as well as include warning statements printed on high chairs about how to avoid fall hazards.

What the Data Show

In a recent 2-year period, there were an estimated 18,500 high chair-related injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments, according to CPSC’s National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS).

Most of the incidents were due to falls when a child tried to climb into or out of the high chair; when the chair tipped over as a child pushed back, or rocked back and forth while seated in the high chair; or when a component (such as the restraint, tray, or lock) of the high chair failed.

Safety Tips for Using High Chairs

CPSC recommends the following tips for parents and caregivers:

• Play it safest by ensuring that your high chair’s manufacture date is on or after June 19, 2019. You can find the manufacture date on a label on the high chair.
• Always use the safety straps and adjust to fit the child snugly.
• If a high chair includes a tray, do not use the tray to hold the child in the high chair. Instead, use the restraints.
• Stay near and watch the child during use.
• Do not let children climb into or stand on the high chair.

Note: This standard does not include booster seats or hook-on high chairs.