Warning : Do not cover your little one’s pram incorrectly during the heatwave
Cover your pram safely as we swelter into more scorching weather.
As Australians, we relish every moment of long Summer days. Young families head out with their babies and little ones in tow to enjoy our parks, cafes, and beaches which we proudly enjoy living in Australia. As we enjoy this slow period in the lead up to Australia Day, various states have issued health warnings to parents about the dangers covering up a pram incorrectly.
Australians know the dangers of leaving a pet, infant or child in a hot car. Temperatures escalate rapidly which can be fatal. Research has also shown that parents who cover up their prams with towels and blankets, and other light materials could be creating the same effect as a child or pet trapped in a hot car.
Blankets, towels and light cloths impair airflow when covering the front of a pram. They cause heat to build up. This can increase the baby’s risk of heat suffocation. Overheating and re-breathing in Carbon Dioxide can increase the baby’s risk of SIDS.
Northern Beaches, Sydney Mum of two, Emma Lovell designed CoziGo to keep babies in their routines in a safe sleeping environment. CoziGo is made from 100% air permeable and breathable mesh, is UPF 50+ and blocks out 97% of the light so that a baby or toddler can sleep whilst staying safe from the heat and sun.
Emma Lovell states:
“Living on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, I’d often take bub for a walk along the coast and it's a common sight to see parents covering their baby’s stroller with a blanket or towel thinking they’re keeping bub safe from the sun and blocking distractions. However, poor circulation of air combined with the wrap following the line of the stroller means baby can pull the wrap in causing a choking or suffocation hazard. What ensued was designing a product that is 100% breathable, has a Sun Protection Factor of 50+, still allows baby to see out of either side of the cover, and a pop-dome shape (so it can’t be kicked off by little legs, pulled by little fingers, or blown off in the wind), ensuring the sleeping environment is safe and comfortable for bub.”
CoziGo is a multi-award-winning Australian product and every year this ingenious pram cover scoops up more awards.
The Sunday Mail recently spoke to Queensland Children’s Hospital director of paediatric medicine Dr David Levitt who told them that having a baby in a pram with a shade over it could lead to temperatures rising by 15C more than the “environmental temperature”.
“The combination of no airflow, heavier clothes and the babies’ poorer temperature regulation lead to potential heat injury which can be life-threatening,” Dr. Levitt told the paper.
Parents are being advised by Queensland Health to keep babies out of the sun between 11am and 5pm.
NSW Health warns:
“An enclosed pram can get very hot; try to ensure that the air circulates around your baby by removing the back panel (if possible) or placing them in more open strollers.”
The NSW Health website advises that hot weather can affect your baby or child because their bodies cannot adjust to changes in temperature as well as adults. Babies and children sweat less, reducing their bodies’ ability to cool down, and they generate more heat during exercise than adults. They are at risk of overheating and developing a heat-related illness. Heat can also make existing illnesses worse.
https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/
https://cozigo.com/
Hashtag.net.au
