Buy Safe Children's Clothes

Choosing the wrong clothing for your child can injure or, be fatal for her or him.  Children can be strangled if drawstrings or hoods get caught on items such as playground equipment, fences or in car/bus doors.  Children can choke on buttons that have come loose from their clothing.  Children can be burned severely if their clothing catches fire.  Children can fall if shoelaces are untied.

How do you choose the right clothes?

To prevent strangulation, purchase children's clothing that is draw-string free. Instead, choose clothes that have other closures such as snaps, VelcroTM, elastic, or buttons.

Remove drawstrings from the hoods, waists and bottoms of children's jackets and other garments. Use other closures to keep hoods fastened securely.

Tuck the ends of scarves into children's jackets or have children wear a neck warmer or balaclava.

Actively supervise young children around playground equipment.

To prevent burns, choose snug-fitting sleepwear with tight waists, ankles and wrists. These are less likely to contact a flame or other ignition source. They also burn slower if they ignite.  If you make your child’s clothing, choose patterns that are snug fitting when using natural fibers, such as cotton.

When making loose-fitting sleepwear like nightgowns and bathrobes, choose fabrics that are difficult to ignite and slow to burn, such as polyester or nylon.

Use frills, ruffles and loose edges at the neck only. Trimmings should not exceed a few inches and should be made of a flame-resistant material.

Even the safest clothing can catch on fire so always keep lighters, matches and open flames out of the reach of children.

And, teach children to STOP, DROP, and ROLL in case their clothing catches fire especially around fireplaces, stoves, campfires and burning candles.

Ensure the backpack and contents weigh no more than 15-20% of your child's weight.  Have children wear the straps over both shoulders.  This evenly distributes the weight and reduces back, neck and shoulder strain.

Look for backpacks with wide straps. Wide straps will help to prevent numbness and help to maintain circulation.