If you can insert more than two fingers between the mattress and the sides or ends of the crib, the crib and mattress combination should not be used. The mattress should be the same size as the crib so there are no gaps to trap arms, body, or legs. You can prevent other crib hazards by observing the following guidelines: Do not use a crib if any parts are missing or broken. They must be tightly in place to prevent the crib from coming apart a child's activity can cause the crib to collapse, trapping and suffocating her.īefore each assembly and weekly thereafter, inspect the crib for damage to hardware, loose joints, missing parts, or sharp edges. Never substitute original parts with something from a hardware store replacement parts must be obtained from the manufacturer. Clothing and ribbons can catch on tall corner posts and strangle an infant.Īll screws, bolts, nuts, plastic parts, and other hardware should be present and original equipment. If the crib has corner posts, they should be flush with the end panels, or they should be very, very tall (such as posts on a canopy bed). There should be no decorative cut-outs in the headboard or footboard, as your child's head or limbs could become trapped in them. Widely spaced slats can allow an infant's legs and body to fall through but will trap the infant's head, which can result in death. Slats should be no more than 2 3/ 8 inches (6 cm) apart so a child's head cannot become trapped between them. No matter what the age of your crib, inspect it carefully for the following features: There is a good chance that an older crib no longer meets all the current safety standards, especially if it has a drop side. Use a crib manufactured after June 2011, when the current safety standards banning the manufacture or sale of drop-side rail cribs became effective. Children are most likely to fall out of the crib when the mattress is raised too high for their height, or not lowered properly as they grow. Falls are the most common injury associated with cribs, even though they are the easiest to prevent. Your baby usually will be unattended when in his or her crib, so this should be a totally safe environment. Place her to sleep only on her back.ĭon't let strings or cords dangle in or anywhere near the crib.ĭon't attach pacifiers, medallions, or other objects to the crib or body with a cord.ĭon't place a string or necklace around the baby's neck. Instead of using loose blankets that your baby could get tangled in, dress her in appropriate-weight sleepwear (like a wearable blanket or sleep sack).ĭon't allow your baby to sleep on her stomach, nor should she sleep on a soft comforter or pillow. Never leave plastic bags or wrappings where your baby can reach them.ĭon't have your baby sleep in your own bed next to you. Keep the crib free of all small objects (safety pins, small parts of toys, etc.) that she could swallow. If inhaled, talcum-containing powders can cause severe lung damage and breathing problems in babies. Children can suffocate if they tear off pieces of the plastic liner and swallow them.ĭo not use baby or talcum powders on the baby. If you use disposable diapers, store them out of your child's reach and cover them with clothing when he wears them. If he opens and shakes it, he's likely to inhale particles of powder, which can injure his lungs. Never let him play with a powder container. Keep diapering supplies within your reach-but out of your child's reach-so you don't have to leave your baby's side to get them. Never leave a child unattended on a dressing table, even for a moment, even if he is strapped. The top of the changing table pad should be concave, so that the middle is slightly lower than the sides.īuckle the safety strap, but don't depend on it alone to keep your child secure. Don't trust your vigilance alone to prevent falls you should also consider the following recommendations.Ĭhoose a sturdy, stable changing table with a 2-inch (5-cm) guardrail around all four sides. Changing TableĪlthough a changing table makes it easier to dress and diaper your baby, falls from such a high surface can be serious. Every home is different, and no checklist is complete and appropriate for every household, however use this checklist to help ensure that the bedrooms in your home are safer for your child.
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