1. Take your baby for test rides. When your baby old enough to be carried in a backpack carrier (she can sit up independently, typically around 6 months old) take her shopping for a backpack carrier and if she is game, do test runs in the store. Try a backpack with a coat on you and your bundled-up child in the pack if you expect to wear it during colder months. (See more backpack carrier safety tips.)

2. Get the hang of it. With the help of a knowledgeable salesperson, practice putting the carrier on and taking it off. Have your spouse do the same to make sure it fits you both comfortably. If you and your spouse will be switching the pack back and forth, try adjusting the straps to fit your torso to see if it’s easy to do. Walk with the backpack to be sure the frame doesn’t hit the back of your head, that it’s not too long for your height, that the straps fit properly so they won’t slip off your shoulders, and that the frame doesn’t start to dig into your lower back after a few minutes. “You should be able to walk comfortably with your arms at your sides,” says Anne Coffman, a physical therapist from New Berlin, WI. Carrier directions should be clear and easy to follow.

3. Look for a snug-fitting safety harness. The safest backpack carriers have a five-point harness for the child that connects the shoulder straps with the crotch, torso, and hip restraints for a snug fit. Don’t purchase a carrier that relies on a lap belt that’s separate from the shoulder and crotch straps, leaving openings at the side that could potentially be big enough for a child to slip through. Such slips can sometimes occur when children pull their legs up and subsequently put both feet and legs into one opening; they’ve been the reason for the recall of several models. We consider that style of harness inadequate for a small child.

4. Do a background check, especially with second-hand equipment. Many parents pick up a backpack carrier at a tag sale. Whether you decide to buy new or used, check for recalled models first at www.cpsc.gov. Inspect preowned carriers for excessive wear, which can dangerously weaken straps and seams. Make sure the instructions/owner’s manual come with the used backpack carrier. Don’t use a carrier for which you have no instructions, no matter how simple it might seem. Accidents can happen too easily. (See more child safety tips.)