Crib Safety – A Helpful Checklist
Since the average baby spends up to 15 hours a day asleep, it makes sense to do your crib safety homework before you purchase a crib.
You should always make sure that the crib you choose meets the safety guidelines established by the Consumer Products Safety Commission.
Your crib should have:
* A firm, tight-fitting mattress so that your child cannot get trapped between the mattress and the crib;
* No missing, loose, broken or improperly installed screws, brackets or other hardware on the crib or mattress support;
* 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 corner posts over 1/16th inch high so a baby’s clothing cannot catch;
* No cutouts in the headboard or foot board so a baby’s head cannot get trapped.
It is best to avoid second hand and old cribs, especially cribs made before 1973. Cribs made before this time may contain lead paint, have splinters, have slats that are too far apart and many other dangers. Cribs that were manufactured even as recently as 1990 can have crib safety issues. If you are thinking of using or buying a second hand crib, make sure it has not been recalled.
Finally, always make sure that you send in the manufacturer’s registration card from your new baby crib. That way if a crib safety problem arises in the future regarding your crib, you’ll be notified of what steps to take to remedy the problem, including any recall involved.
Knowing what type of safe baby crib best suits your family’s needs before you buy ensures that you will end up with a crib that will meet those needs and keep your child safe and sound all night long.
