New Federal Rules for Crib Safety Effective June 28, 2011

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission have established new rules for baby cribs. Effective June 28, 2011, drop side cribs are banned. They cannot be manufactured and sold or sold by individuals. According to the commission, drop side cribs have been responsible for 32 deaths caused by suffocation.

Other changes to be enforced by the commission include increasing durability of crib hardware; strengthening mattress supports and crib slats; and implementing better safety testing.

Therefore, when shopping for a baby crib, make sure the crib conforms to the new rules. You can do so by contacting the manufacturer. If shopping at lawn sales or through classified ads, be extra careful that older cribs are safe.

According to a study by the Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus Ohio, there were an average of 9,561 injuries and more than 100 deaths per year during the period from 1990 to 2008. All of these were from cribs, paypens or bassinets.

Obviously, it’s important to insure your baby is safe with the furniture you buy.

Here is more on the subject:

If you own a drop-side crib — and perhaps can’t afford to replace it — Dulic recommends contacting the manufacturer to try to obtain an immobilizer, a protective device to make those cribs more secure. Also, if you keep a drop-side crib — or any older crib — you should be sure to check it often to make sure it’s not developing problems, such as loose or missing parts, Dulic said.Parents not only need to buy a safe crib but also to position their baby on his or her back — with no extra bedding around — to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). .

Staying safe

Parents who want to know whether their child’s crib meets new standards can try contacting the manufacturer or asking for the certificate of conformity at the store. Cribs in stores now meet the new federal standards that went into effect June 28.

•Beware of drop-side cribs,(AT) which have been associated with infant suffocations and numerous recalls.

•Make sure the crib hasn’t been recalled,(AT) whether it’s a drop-side or not. That great find at a yard sale or hand-me-down from a relative or friend might be on the list. Consumers can get recall information from www.cpsc.gov, www.recalls.gov and www.keepingbabiessafe.org.

•Watch a Safe Sleep for Babies video(AT) at http://tinyurl.com/42d46uo. It’s also available on the Newborn Channel at some hospitals.

New federal rules target crib safety, durability – USATODAY.com