First, consider how you are planning on using the walker. If you plan on putting your baby in it and leaving him/her in there for unattended periods of time, a baby walker may not be the right choice for you. Because of the mobility factor, baby walkers can be dangerous for unsupervised children-accidents like falling down stairs or falling over backwards can happen. If you want something to entertain your child while keeping him/her safe, think about getting a baby bouncer or an entertainment station instead. These are non-mobile and much safer to leave you child in for long periods of time. Though walker safety standards have improved dramatically over the past decade or so, it is still not a completely secure option.

If you do decide to purchase a baby walker, make sure the one you buy is a match for your child's age, weight, and height. This relates to purchasing baby bouncers and stationary activity centres as well; making sure your child matches the manufacturer's recommendations will only prevent accidents.

To cut down on the possibility of falling down stairs, find a baby walker whose frame is larger than the doorways in your home. This way, the baby has no possibility of leaving a room, and cannot wander into potentially dangerous hallways.

Also, find a baby walker whose top frame is smaller than the base. This reduces the risk of your baby accidentally overturning in the walker, since it is more balanced and less likely to fall over.

Examine the walker of your choice carefully for any sharp edges, hinges, or small pieces that might potentially cause trouble. Baby proofing your walker (or any other baby equipment, such as baby bouncers) is important; do not assume that just because it was made for babies, its baby proofed.

There are a couple of regulations that any baby walker you buy should meet. Ensure that the walker you are buying meets the Product Safety Standard for Baby Walkers and is accredited by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers' Association. A little extra guarantee of product quality never hurt anybody!

With these tips in mind, you are now fully equipped to go out and buy your baby a walker. Just remember that walkers are not substitutes for crawling or learning how to walk properly. Though they can be helpful in increasing mobility, you should not put your baby in the walker for indeterminable periods of time. Always, always have your attention on the baby if they are in a walker, as accidents are more prone to happen when babies are up and about.