Highchair Safety: Simple Steps to Protect Your Child

First published January 2014
Updated January 2026

Highchairs and booster seats are a regular part of mealtime for many families. They are used at home, in daycares, at restaurants, and when visiting friends or relatives. Because they are so familiar, it is easy to overlook small details that can make a big difference for safety.

Highchair and booster seat injuries do happen, often during everyday moments like meals or snacks. The good news is that there are simple, practical steps caregivers can take to reduce the risk and help keep children safe while they eat.

Always use safety straps. One of the most important steps to take is buckling your child in EVERY time they sit in a highchair or booster seat, even for quick meals or snacks. Many highchair-related injuries happen when a child falls. Safety straps help keep children securely seated and reduce the risk of them slipping out or causing the seat to tip over. Be sure to use all the straps provided, including the crotch strap. Skipping this strap can allow a child to slide down, fall through the opening, or even become stuck. Adjust the straps so they fit snugly and check regularly to make sure your child cannot wiggle out.

Keep the area around the highchair clear.  Children are naturally curious and will grab anything in their reach. Before putting your child in the highchair, take a moment to look around. Keep items like tablecloths, placemats, sharp silverware, breakable dishes, hot food, and hot liquids out of reach. Also be aware of where you put the highchair. If it is too close to the table, a counter, or the wall, the child may knock the chair over by kicking their feet into these objects.

Stay with your child when they’re in the highchair. While it can be tempting to try to get some household chores done while your child is eating, an unsupervised child is more likely to try to escape from their highchair and can also be more likely to choke on their food. Mealtime is a good time to spend quality bonding time together.

Check for recalls. Millions of unsafe highchairs have been recalled during recent years. Make sure the one you are using does not have any known injury hazards. Check www.recalls.gov to see if your highchair has been recalled.

Don’t forget to follow these guidelines when your child is away from home as well - visiting a grandparent, eating at a restaurant, etc. Making sure the highchairs are stable, have working safety restraints, and are placed away from high traffic areas and other hazards will help keep your child safe even when they are not at home.

Taking these few steps before mealtime can help keep your child safe and allow everyone to focus on what matters most, sharing meals and time together.