Parent’s Guide to Crib Safety

New Crib Safety Standards Designed to Protect Children from Injury or Death

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has put new crib safety regulations into effect that prohibit the manufacture, sale or resale of drop‐side cribs. These stricter guidelines come after millions of recalls in recent years of drop‐side cribs that pose entrapment and strangulation hazards, and 32 deaths attributed to drop‐side cribs since 2000.

New Federal Regulations in Effect

While cribs should provide one of the safest environments for children to be left alone, they are associated with a surprising number of injuries. Between 2007 and 2010, more than 3,500 full‐size crib incidents were reported to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). 23% of these incidents involved injuries resulting from falls from the cribs, 22% were related to problems with drop‐side cribs and 12% involved infant limbs being caught between crib slats. These dangerous statistics and others are why the CPSC has mandated new federal crib standards, and why effective 6/28/11 it is illegal to make, sell or resell any crib in the US that does not meet tough new federal standards. Drop‐down sides are now prohibited. The new rules also require stronger slats, mattress supports and hardware that can withstand vigorous shaking by toddlers.


CPSC Safety Recommendations

For infants under 12 months of age, the CPSC recommends the following practices to reduce the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) and prevent suffocation:

  • Place baby on his/her back in a crib with a firm, tightfitting mattress.
  • Consider using a sleeper instead of a blanket.
  • If you do use a blanket, place baby with feet to foot of the crib. Tuck a thin blanket around the crib mattress, covering only as high as your baby’s chest.
  • Use only a fitted bottom sheet specifically made for crib use.


Check Your Child’s Crib for Safety

Cribs that are incorrectly assembled, have missing, loose or broken hardware or broken slats can result in entrapment or suffocation deaths. Infants can become strangled when their head and neck become entrapped in gaps created by missing, loose of broken hardware of broken slats. The CPSC recommends that you check for the following:

  • A firm, tight‐fitting mattress so a baby cannot get trapped between the mattress and the crib.
  • No cutouts in the headboard or foot board so a baby's head cannot get trapped. No corner posts over 1/16th inch high so a baby's clothing cannot catch.
  • No more than 2 3/8 inches (about the width of a soda can) between crib slats so a baby's body cannot fit through the slats; no missing or cracked slats.
  • No missing, loose, broken or improperly installed screw, brackets or other hardware on the crib or mattress support.

Source: Consumer Products Safety Commission

Caution

What NOT to Put in a Crib

 

According to the CPSC, the following items should NEVER be placed in your child’s crib:

  • Baby Monitors
  • Bumper Pads
  • Crib Tent or Mesh Canopy
  • Pillows
  • Quilts, Comforters or Sheepskins
  • Sleep Positioners
  • Stuffed Animals

Always be aware of what is inside the crib with your child!

These are just a few things you can do to protect your family from crib-related injuries. Please visit Montlick.com or HelpKeepKidsSafe.org and click on “Family Safety and Legal Tips,” to see our latest safety videos and downloadable materials, and to register for Free Safety Alerts.

Atlanta Injury Attorney Montlick & Associates Shares Important Crib Safety Tips

As of June 28, 2011, it is illegal to make, sell or resell any crib in the US that does not meet tough new federal standards. View the video above from Atlanta Injury Attorney Montlick and Associates to learn more about the ban on drop-side cribs and the new federal regulations that require stronger slats, mattress supports and hardware. Parents should note that while it is not illegal to use older cribs in private homes, for safety reasons, experts are urging parents NOT to use or give away potentially dangerous cribs - particularly crib models that have been recalled by the CPSC. Cribs that comply with the new regulations will be tagged with the code 16 CFR 1219 (for full-size cribs) and 16 CFR 1220 (for compact-size cribs). Although the new standards are in effect as of June 28, 2011, child care centers, and public facilities (such as churches, motels) and crib rental businesses have until December 2012 to comply.

Since 1984, the Atlanta Injury Attorneys at Montlick & Associates have made it their goal to be the best personal injury law firm in the United States.Our law firm represents families and individuals who suffer from catastrophic injuries, in all types of cases involving wrongful conduct and wrongful death, including those involving dangerous or defective products. Injuries sustained from defective products can lead to large medical costs, altered lifestyles and extreme emotional hardships for families. That is why it is important for families of children with serious crib injuries to retain an attorney to tackle the complex legal issues involved and to protect the interests of the families. If you or a family member has been seriously injured in any type of accident, our caring and compassionate team of lawyers is here to assist you. Please call us 24 hours, 7 days a week including weekends and holidays at 1-800-LAW-NEED for your free consultation, or visit www.montlick.com and fill out our Free Case Evaluation form or use our 24 Hour Live Online Chat.

Crib Safety

Effective June 28, 2011, it is illegal to manufacture, sell or resell cribs with drop-down sides.