If you are a new parent, then getting out of the house may have become a challenge for you. Not only do you have to get yourself ready to go, but you have to get your child ready as well – which often means packing a small suitcase in a sleep deprived state. Often, the easiest solution is to take a stroller – not only will these devices hold your precious cargo safely, but they can also take along all the spare diapers, wipes, bottles, and other accessories that you need for a trip out.

Unfortunately, an improperly used stroller can be dangerous for you or your child. So before you buckle up and roll out, here are three things that you must consider.

Have a stroller that fits the situation

One of the biggest mistakes that parents make is purchasing the wrong type of stroller for their needs. Instead of purchasing a stroller strictly for its looks, you will want to consider the types of activities you will need it for. Are you planning on putting your newborn in a stroller right away, or will you be using a sling or other carrier until the baby is a little older? Do you need a stroller for walking around the mall or jogging around the park? Your travel system can work with the infant carrier for newborn and can easily be pushed around the mall, but it is not a safe stroller for jogging with. If you plan on doing multiple activities with your child, look for a stroller that can be used that way. Otherwise you may want to invest in multiple strollers for optimum safety.

Safety devices are there for a reason

When you are in a hurry it can be easy to forget the small things like setting the rear brakes, buckling a child in, or fastening the security strap over the infant carrier. However, it is important to remember that these safety devices are there for a reason. A stroller is a moving object, so there are numerous opportunities for a child to be jostled loose, thrown, or pinched in the parts. It only takes one incident to cause serious injury to you or your child. Before you go out, read through the safety manual and make sure that you know how to use all of the safety devices before you hit the road.

Your stroller is not a pack mule

When you have kids, you never know what is going to come up. Because of this, some parents are tempted to bring along half the nursery "just in case." While this is fine, you do need to know that your stroller has limits. Besides the height and weight limits for the rider, any of the storage baskets and pouches have limits as well. Overloading these could impair the function of the stroller and make it unstable. It can be particularly tempting to hang diaper bags, purses, or shopping bags from the handles, but you should avoid doing this, particularly with lighter weight strollers. Having too much weight on the back will cause the stroller to tip, potentially causing injury.