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Crib Safety Tips
Crib Design:
- Dispose of antique cribs with decorative cutouts, corner posts or lead
paint.
- The space between the slats should be no more than 2-3/8 inches apart to
prevent infants from getting their head stuck between them. Cribs
manufactured after 1974 must meet this and other strict safety standards.
- The corner posts should be the same height as the end panels or less than
1/16 of an inch higher than the end panels.
- No cut-out areas on the headboard or footboard so a baby's head cannot get
trapped.
- The top rails of crib sides, in their raised position, should be at least
26 inches above the top of the mattress support at its lowest position.
- As soon as the child can pull himself to a standing position, set and keep
the mattress at its lowest position. Stop using the crib once the height of
the top rails is less than three-fourths of the child's height.
A safe crib has:
- No missing, loose, broken, or improperly-installed screws, brackets, or
other hardware on the crib or the mattress support.
- No more than 2 3/8 inches between crib slats so a baby's body cannot fit
through the slats.
- A firm, snug-fitting mattress so a baby cannot get trapped between the
mattress and the side of the crib.
- No corner posts over 1/16 of an inch above the end panels (unless they are
over 16 inches high for a canopy) so a baby cannot catch clothing and
strangle.
- No cutout areas on the headboard or foot board so a baby's head cannot get
trapped.
- A mattress support that does not easily pull apart from the corner posts
so a baby cannot get trapped between mattress and crib.
- No cracked or peeling paint to prevent lead poisoning.
- No splinters or rough edges.
| An unsafe used crib
could be very dangerous for your baby. Each year, about 50 babies
suffocate or strangle when they become trapped between broken crib parts
or in cribs with older, unsafe designs. |
Crib Hardware:
- The drop side(s) of the crib should require two distinct actions or a
minimum force of ten pounds with one action to release the latch or the
locks to prevent accidental release by the child.
- The crib hardware should be checked for disengaged, broken, bent or loose
pieces. Special checks should be made of the mattress support hangers and
brackets so they cannot drop. The hardware and the crib should be smooth and
free of sharp edges, points and rough surfaces.
Crib Accessories:
- Bumper pads should cover the entire inside perimeter of the crib and tie
or snap in place. Bumper pads should have at least six straps or ties and
any excess length of straps or ties should be cut off. Bumper pads should
never be used in lieu of proper spacing between the slats and should be
removed from the crib as soon as the child can pull himself to a standing
position.
- Teething rails that are damaged should be fixed, replaced or removed
immediately.
- To prevent possible entanglement, mobiles and crib gyms, which are meant
to be hung over or across the crib, should be removed when the child is five
months old or when he begins to push up onto hands and knees or can pull
himself up.
- Keep the crib clear of plastic sheets, pillows, and large stuffed animals
or toys. These can be suffocation hazards or can enable youngsters to climb
out of the crib.
- Any cloth or vinyl items that are loose or torn should be replaced or
repaired immediately.
Crib Environment:
- Do not place crib next to a window. Drapery and blind cords pose an
entanglement hazard and window screens are not intended to keep a child in,
only insects out.
- Install smoke detectors. Follow the manufacturer's directions for
placement. Check at least once a month to make sure battery and smoke
detector are in good working condition.
- Lead is a health hazard, especially to young children. It can be found in
dust and soil off busy roadways, in old paint on walls, toys and furniture
and sometimes in paint on new imported items. If you think your child has
taken in leaded paint or soil, or you need help with identifying or removing
lead paint, call the National Safety Council's National Lead Information
Center at 800-424-5323.
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