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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.
- 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.
- 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.
**
Content from The National Safety
Council (www.nsc.org)
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