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.

Mattress

The mattress should fit snugly next to the crib

so that there is no gap. If two adult fingers can

be placed between the mattress and the crib,

the mattress should be immediately replaced.

Do not use plastic packaging materials, such

as dry cleaning bags, as mattress covers.

Plastic film can cling to children's faces and

should never be in or near the crib.

Put your baby to sleep on his or her back or

side in a crib with a firm, flat mattress and no

soft bedding underneath. Talk to your

pediatrician about which sleeping position is

best for you child.

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.