Top 10 Safety Tips While Using Jogging Stroller

Running with a jogging stroller is perfect for families. It gives you time to your baby or young child, gets you out of the house, and keeps you active, setting a great example for your kids. With so many sights and sounds to look at, your child gets an opportunity to see the world from a different perspective and have fun.

While getting outside has many benefits, jogging with a stroller can be challenging until you get the hang of it. Further, parents that are purchasing the stroller may not be aware of all of the safety features and mechanisms in place. If you buy a stroller at a local store, the associate probably reviewed the main safety features but did not go through a comprehensive list. Manuals are cumbersome to read through but are important so you can fully understand the capabilities of your stroller.

Get The Right Stroller For Your Stroller’s Safety

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[tcb_dynamic_field type=”null” alt=”Select Dynamic field” title=”Placeholder” data-classes=””]When purchasing a jogging stroller, you’re not only considering your comfort and safety; you’re also considering the comfort and security of your jogging companion. A stroller that you can jog with is a long-term investment in both your physical and mental well-being. To select the right jogging stroller, really think about how much running you’ll be doing. This will impact the maneuverability and features that you ultimately choose.

Top 10 Jogging Stroller Safety Tips

It’s a different experience than running solo, but with the right equipment and safety guidelines in place, it doesn’t have to be a complicated transition. If you’re a new parent who is serious about jogging, a jogging stroller is a great investment as long as you keep the safety tips below in mind.

1. Talk to Your Little One’s Doctor

Before you run with your baby, confirm with your doctor that your child has developed enough to run with you in a jogging stroller. Children grow at different rates and with unforeseen bumps, rocks, potholes, and other unexpected debris, it’s not always a smooth ride. Those bumps can jar your baby, so it’s always best to check with your doctor first.

BOB gear recommends that children be at least six months old before going out in the jogging stroller. Children at this age have more developed brains and won’t be as significantly impacted by any bumping motion while in the stroller. Once your baby is strong enough, he or she will truly enjoy the scenery and faster action of the run.

2. Lock the Stroller Before Putting Your Baby In

Strollers are typically stored in a folded position. Each time you use the stroller, you unfold it into its upright position. Since you are frequently folding and unfolding it, the stroller may fold back in on itself if it’s not fully locked into place after being unfolded. You should hear a clicking sound when the stroller is completely locked. The stroller also has a brake that should be engaged before putting your baby in. We’ll discuss the hand and foot brake further below. Once the stroller is locked and the brake is secured, you can then put your baby into the stroller and fasten the safety harness.

3. Use the Stroller Safety Straps

It’s vital to use all of the stroller safety straps that are available. This includes the five-point harness mentioned above. One strap will go around each arm and click into a plate that should be level with your child’s armpit. A bottom piece will go between your child’s legs, and a buckle clicks in on either side. This prevents the baby from slipping down.

Strollers may also have additional straps that need to be secured once the stroller is unfolded. These may be on the sides or bottom of the stroller, so pay attention to your stroller’s manual or ask your sales professional.

You may find that you like to use a safety wrist strap to secure the stroller to you. Some strollers come with a wrist strap. A wrist strap can also be purchased separately if desired.

4. Check the Stroller Regularly

Check your jogging stroller regularly for wear and tear. Depending on how often you use the stroller, and what kind of terrain you typically run on, the stroller wheels, lining, and fabric can wear out after significant use. The tread on the wheels can wear out or get punctured if you use the stroller on bumpy ground. Check for sharp edges since the fabric can get frayed if it gets caught on something or just from general wear. Also, check that the buckles on the harness work correctly each time you fasten your child. The manufacturer’s manual may have tips for the general maintenance of the stroller.

5. Bring a Mini Diaper Bag

Packing for a run is similar to packing for a day out with your baby. You never know when hunger will strike, or a change of clothes is needed. The great thing about jogging strollers is that they typically have a lot of storage space. Of course, stopping in the middle of your run isn’t ideal, but at least, you’ll be prepared for whatever situation comes up. With the storage space in the stroller, you’ll also be able to pack water or other items for yourself! You can use a backpack style diaper bag.

6. Wheels and Alignment

Jogging strollers come with either a front locked or swiveling wheel. It’s important to know how the wheel functions, so you can troubleshoot the cause of a wheel problem. A common issue with jogging strollers is loose or misaligned wheels. All wheels should touch the ground when the baby is in the stroller. Some manufacturers allow you to remove and replace individual wheels if something happens that causes it to become unsafe. Not all manufacturers recommend this, however. Never use a stroller if a wheel becomes loose. You can try to tighten the fasteners yourself, but if it still seems unsafe, then do not use it and investigate whether you need to have a wheel replaced.

7. Find a Comfortable position

The best way to adapt to running with a stroller is to take it out for a spin. You’ll eventually find arm positioning that works for you and develop a rhythm as you run. You can push with one arm while the other arm swings, and then switch which arm pushes the stroller to make sure your arm muscles are all being utilized evenly. With the variety of jogging strollers available on the market, you can find one that is tailored for city use versus trail use depending on how your stroller will be most used. Some strollers come with weather protection so your little one is comfortable also.

8. Don’t Use Headphones

Headphones reduce your ability to hear what’s going on in your surroundings. If you’re running on the street, you need to be extra cautious of the cars around you to protect yourself and your baby. Just because you shouldn’t wear headphones doesn’t mean you shouldn’t listen to music. Some people place their phones in one of the cup holders and play the music that way. Some stroller models may have speakers built in that enable you to play music. Either way, if you do listen to music, make sure that it doesn’t compromise your ability to pay attention to what is going on around you.

9. Use Proper Equipment

If you need to use an infant car seat based on your baby’s age, ensure that the car seat secures safely to your jogging stroller. You may need an adapter bar to fit the car seat to the stroller and engage other safety straps to make sure the car seat is locked into place. With unforeseen bumps, rocks, potholes, and unexpected debris common on roads and walking trails, your baby needs to be secure in the right size car seat and stroller to avoid being thrown around which could cause serious developmental issues.

10. Other Considerations

• Another item to consider is avoiding hills while you are getting used to pushing the jogging stroller. The stroller can pick up momentum quickly, and you don’t need the extra stress of pulling the stroller back while trying to maneuver it during your run.
• A final consideration is not to run too far. Jogging strollers are ideal for short runs but can be difficult to operate for extended runs.

 

Having a baby in your life is a huge adjustment, so you shouldn’t overdo any of your training at first. Go easy on yourself.

Brad Hudson Author of “Run Faster”

Final Verdict

In conclusion, it may seem challenging to keep all of these jogging stroller safety tips in mind when you are first starting out. Be sure to read your stroller’s manual for all safety preparations. Once you choose the right stroller and get comfortable running and pushing the stroller at the same time, you’ll be glad you made the money and time investment to enjoy the outdoors and spend time with your child. When you feel good, your family feels good, so take care of yourself and enjoy your run!