Safety
Stroller safety: the standard and the checklist
Short answer: Every stroller sold in the US must meet the federal safety rule for carriages and strollers (16 CFR 1227), which makes the ASTM F833 standard mandatory. It covers brakes, stability, harnesses, latches and pinch points. A Baby Safety Alliance (formerly JPMA) seal is voluntary extra verification. Daily habits, like always buckling up and braking, matter just as much.
What safety standard do strollers have to meet in the US?
Every carriage and stroller sold in the US must meet the Consumer Product Safety Commission's rule for carriages and strollers, 16 CFR part 1227. That rule makes the ASTM F833 standard mandatory. Strollers made after February 15, 2022 must meet the 2021 edition, ASTM F833-21. Manufacturers must have each model tested by a CPSC-accepted third-party lab and issue a certificate showing it complies.
ASTM F833 covers the things that cause most stroller injuries:
- Brakes: the parking brake must hold the stroller on a slope.
- Stability: the stroller must resist tipping backward and sideways.
- Restraints: the harness must hold the child in place, including a crotch restraint.
- Latches: the frame must not fold up unexpectedly while in use.
- Pinch points and openings: hinges, gaps and leg openings must not trap fingers, heads or bodies.
- Strength and durability: seats, handles and frames must take loads well beyond normal use.
What do safety seals like Baby Safety Alliance mean?
The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) renamed itself the Baby Safety Alliance in June 2025, and its certification program became the Baby Safety Alliance Verification Program. It's voluntary: a brand pays to have a product verified by an outside testing lab against the ASTM standard and other requirements. You'll still see the older "JPMA Certified" seal on many products and listings.
A seal is reassuring, but a stroller without one is not automatically less safe, because the federal rule applies either way. GREENGUARD Gold, which some brands list, is a different thing: it certifies low chemical emissions from materials, not crash or tip safety.
Here is what each maker states for the strollers we cover:
| Stroller | Maker's safety statement |
|---|---|
| Baby Jogger City Mini GT3 | No certification listed on the maker's product page; all strollers sold in the US must meet the federal standard |
| Baby Jogger City Select 2 | No certification listed on the maker's product page; all strollers sold in the US must meet the federal standard |
| Baby Jogger City Tour 2 | No certification listed on the maker's product page; all strollers sold in the US must meet the federal standard |
| Baby Jogger Summit X3 | No certification listed on the maker's product page; all strollers sold in the US must meet the federal standard |
| BOB Gear Alterrain Pro | No certification listed on the maker's product page; all strollers sold in the US must meet the federal standard |
| Bugaboo Butterfly 2 Plus | IATA-compatible folded size (Bugaboo); no JPMA or ASTM listing found |
| Bugaboo Donkey 6 | Bugaboo lists a 5-point harness, a UPF 50+ canopy and 4,349 miles of rough-surface testing; no ASTM or JPMA claim on the US page |
| Bugaboo Dragonfly Plus | Bugaboo says it is tested beyond industry standards and over 2,485 miles; no ASTM or JPMA claim on the US page. The original Dragonfly seat was recalled in December 2023 (CPSC 24-730) |
| Bugaboo Fox 5 Renew | No certification listed on the maker's product page; all strollers sold in the US must meet the federal standard |
| Chicco Bravino Plus | Chicco lists Baby Safety Alliance verification and says it is made without intentionally added fire retardant chemical treatments, PFAS, BPA or phthalates |
| Chicco Bravo LE ClearTex | Chicco lists Baby Safety Alliance verification and GREENGUARD Gold certification; ClearTex fabrics are made without intentionally added fire retardant chemicals, PFAS, BPA or phthalates |
| Colugo The Compact Stroller+ | Colugo states its strollers are JPMA certified and meet ASTM F833 and 16 CFR 1227 |
| Cybex Balios S Lux | No certification listed on the maker's product page; all strollers sold in the US must meet the federal standard |
| Cybex Gazelle S | No certification listed on the maker's product page; all strollers sold in the US must meet the federal standard |
| Cybex Libelle (2026) | No certification listed on the maker's product page; all strollers sold in the US must meet the federal standard |
| Cybex Priam (New Generation) | No certification listed on the maker's product page; all strollers sold in the US must meet the federal standard |
| Doona+ Car Seat & Stroller | Certified to FMVSS 213A (per Doona); TUV and FAA aircraft approved |
| Evenflo Pivot Xpand | GREENGUARD Gold certified; Evenflo's travel-system page lists ASTM and JPMA (Baby Safety Alliance), its stroller-only page lists none |
| Joie Ginger DLX | Baby Safety Alliance certified, per Babylist |
| Mockingbird Single-to-Double 3.0 | Mockingbird states it meets CPSC rules and ASTM F833-21, and is certified by the Baby Safety Alliance |
| Nuna DEMI next | Nuna lists a UPF 50+ canopy and a quick-release 3- to 5-point harness; no ASTM, JPMA or product-specific GREENGUARD claim on the US page |
| Nuna MIXX Next | GREENGUARD Gold Certified (per Nuna) |
| Nuna SWIV | Nuna lists MagneTech magnetic buckles, a 3- to 5-point no-rethread harness and a one-touch rear brake; no ASTM, JPMA or product-specific certification on the US page |
| Nuna TRVL | GREENGUARD Gold certified for low chemical emissions (per Nuna) |
| Stokke YOYO3 | JPMA certificate listed on Stokke's US site; 3-year warranty listed in Stokke's product data |
| Thule Urban Glide 3 | BabyGearLab reports Thule says it meets ASTM F833 in the US and Canada; Thule gives a Guarantee and 30-day returns |
| UPPAbaby Cruz V3 | UPPAbaby lists GREENGUARD Gold certification and Baby Safety Alliance verification |
| UPPAbaby Minu Duo | UPPAbaby lists GREENGUARD Gold certification and Baby Safety Alliance certification |
| UPPAbaby Minu V3 | UPPAbaby lists GREENGUARD Gold certification and Baby Safety Alliance certification |
| UPPAbaby Ridge V2 | UPPAbaby lists GREENGUARD Gold certification and Baby Safety Alliance verification |
| UPPAbaby Vista V2 | UPPAbaby listed JPMA certification and GREENGUARD Gold certification |
| UPPAbaby Vista V3 | UPPAbaby lists GREENGUARD Gold certification and Baby Safety Alliance verification; Babylist's listing also shows JPMA Certified |
| Zoe Twin V3 | GREENGUARD Gold certified and Baby Safety Alliance verified, per Zoe |
What should you check every time you use the stroller?
- Make sure the frame is fully locked open before your child gets in. Listen and feel for the click.
- Buckle the full harness every ride, even for a short trip across the parking lot.
- Set the brake whenever you stop, and use the wrist strap on hills and near roads.
- Don't hang heavy bags from the handlebar. The extra weight can tip the stroller backward. Use the basket, and stay within its weight limit.
- Keep within the weight and height limits for the seat, bassinet and any riding board.
- Keep fingers clear when folding, and keep older children away from the hinges.
- Never leave a child unattended in a stroller, and don't let them stand in the seat or basket.
How do you check for stroller recalls?
Register your stroller with the maker. Strollers count as durable infant products, so they come with a product registration card, and registering means the maker can contact you directly about a recall. You can also search CPSC.gov/Recalls by brand and model name at any time.
Is a secondhand stroller safe?
It can be, if you check it carefully first:
- Find the model name and manufacture date on the label, and search them on the CPSC recall site.
- Check that the brakes hold, the frame locks firmly and the harness buckles and adjusts properly.
- Look for cracks in the frame, loose wheels and torn or missing harness straps.
- Make sure the manual is available (most makers post them online) so you know the limits.
Avoid strollers with missing parts or repairs you can't verify, and don't mix parts from different models.
Do car-seat strollers follow different rules?
Yes. A car-seat stroller such as the Doona+ Car Seat & Stroller is first an infant car seat, so it must meet the federal car seat standard, FMVSS 213, as well. Doona also lists FAA approval for use on aircraft. As with any car seat, check its expiration date and never use one that has been in a crash.
Strollers with a maker-stated certification
Stroller safety FAQ
What is ASTM F833?
ASTM F833 is the US safety standard for carriages and strollers. It sets tests for brakes, stability, harnesses, folding latches, pinch points and strength. The CPSC made it mandatory under 16 CFR part 1227, and strollers made after February 15, 2022 must meet the 2021 edition, ASTM F833-21.
Is JPMA certification required?
No. JPMA certification, now the Baby Safety Alliance Verification Program, is voluntary. Brands choose to have products verified against the standard by an outside testing lab. Every stroller sold in the US must meet the federal rule whether or not it carries a seal.
How do I know if my stroller has been recalled?
Search the brand and model name on CPSC.gov/Recalls, and register your stroller with the maker using the registration card or the brand's website. Registered owners are contacted directly when there is a recall. Check secondhand strollers before your child rides in them.
Can I hang a diaper bag on the stroller handle?
It's best not to. Weight on the handlebar can tip the stroller backward, especially when your child climbs out or the stroller is empty. Put bags in the basket and stay within the basket's weight limit. If your stroller maker sells a handlebar organizer, follow its stated limit.