 |
|
| |
Baby Safety
Crib Bumper Safety
The American Academy of Pediatrics' news magazine, AAP News, recently published an article on the safety of crib bumpers.
The article entitled “Crib bumpers in the night: a hazard to infants,” published in the January 2008 issue, warns of the
safety hazards associated with crib bumpers and other soft bedding. The article cites the September 2007 study published
in the Journal of Pediatrics by Bradley Thach, which contains data that the U.S. CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission)
staff has noted does not establish a direct connection between traditional bumpers and any increased risk.
We would like to stress that CPSC warnings relate to pillow-like bumpers and adult bedding placed in cribs – not
traditional bumpers which are thin and firm. Traditional infant bedding, when used properly, provides an infant with
a safe environment in which to sleep.
Cribs, bassinets, bedding, and nursery décor represent a large portion of the overall $8.9 billion juvenile products
industry. Today's parents are very safety conscious, especially when it comes to their children sleeping. The following
are some general guidelines JPMA (Juvenile Products Manufacturer's Association) provides to consumers on creating a safe
sleep environment:
Infants should ALWAYS sleep in a crib, which meets current Federal and ASTM standards.
- Normal, healthy infants should ALWAYS sleep on their backs unless otherwise advised by a pediatrician.
- NEVER place infants to sleep on pillows, sofa cushions, adult beds, waterbeds, beanbags, or any other surface
not specifically designed for infant sleep.
- Only a fitted sheet, mattress pad, and/or waterproof pad should be used under baby.
- ALWAYS use a crib sheet that fits securely on the mattress, wraps around the mattress corners, and stays
securely on the mattress corners.
- The crib mattress should fit snugly with no more than two fingers width, one-inch, between the edge of the
mattress and the crib side.
- NEVER place the crib near windows, draperies, blinds, or wall mounted decorative accessories with long cords.
- Crib slats or spindles should be spaced no more than 2 3/8” apart, and none should be loose or missing.
- Never use a crib with corner posts over 1/16” above the end panels (unless they're over 16” high for a canopy).
- When baby is put to sleep, remove pillows, quilts, comforters, sheepskins, pillow-like stuffed toys, and other
pillow-like products from the crib.
- Never use pillows or add extra padding.
- No pillow-like bumpers.
- Use bumper pads only until the child can pull up to a standing position. Then remove them so baby cannot use
the pads to climb out of the crib.
- Decorative bows and ribbons should be trimmed short and stitched securely to prevent strangulation.
- Flexible ribbons, strings, or ties attached to any infant bedding or related accessory item, with the exception
of ties on bumper guards and headboard bumper guards, shall not exceed 7”. Ribbons, strings, and ties on bumper
guards and headboard bumper guards shall not exceed 9”.
- Cover baby with a thin covering, specifically designed for infants, only reaching as far as baby's chest, and
tuck the covering around the crib mattress. Consider using a sleeper, sleep sack, or other sleep clothing.
- No cutout areas on the headboard or footboard so baby's head cannot get trapped.
- No cracked or peeling paint, splinters, or rough edges.
- Mobiles should be removed when baby can pull himself or herself up.
- Don't tie items across the top of a play yard as they can entangle a baby and cause strangulation.
- Never suspend strings over play yards or cribs or attach strings to toys.
- Choose a play yard with mesh holes no larger than 1/4”. Slats on a wooden play yard should be no more than
2 3/8” apart.
- Check vinyl or fabric-covered rails frequently for holes and tears.
- Choose a toddler bed that is low to the ground so that there is less chance of injury if your child falls.
- Place headboard against wall rather than the side of the bed so that the child can't become trapped between
wall and bed.
As a reminder, JPMA's Naptime to Nighttime product insert provides information on the selection and safe use of infant
bedding products. An electronic version of this brochure is available on the JPMA Web site,
www.jpma.org. To order print
copies, please call the JPMA office at 856-638-0420 or fill out the form found here:
http://www.jpma.org/index2.cfm?section=Programs&content=Inserts
|
|
|
 |