For
infants under 12 months of age, follow these practices to reduce the risk of SIDS
(sudden infant death syndrome) and prevent suffocation: - Place baby
on his/her back in a crib with a firm, tight-fitting mattress.
- Do
not put pillows, quilts, comforters, sheepskins, pillow-like bumper pads or pillow-like
stuffed toys in the crib.
- Consider using a sleeper instead of
a blanket.
- If you do use a blanket, place baby with feet to foot
of the crib.
- Tuck a thin blanket around the crib mattress, covering
baby only as high as his/her chest.
- Use only a fitted bottom sheet
specifically made for crib use.
Check Your Crib for Safety
There
should be:
- A firm, tight-fitting mattress so a baby cannot get trapped
between the mattress and the crib.
- No missing, loose, broken or
improperly installed screws, brackets or other hardware on the crib or mattress
support.
- No more than 2 3/8 inches (about the width of a soda
can) between crib slats so a baby's body cannot fit through the slats; no missing
or cracked slats.
- No corner posts over 1/16th inch high so a baby's
clothing cannot catch.
- No cutouts in the headboard or foot board
so a baby's head cannot get trapped.
For mesh-sided cribs or
playpens, look for: - Mesh less than 1/4 inch in size, smaller than the
tiny buttons on a baby's clothing.
- Mesh with no tears, holes or
loose threads that could entangle a baby.
- Mesh securely attached
to top rail and floor plate.
- Top rail cover with no tears or holes.
- If
staples are used, they are not missing, loose or exposed.
For more
information, contact:
U.S. CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20207 TOLL-FREE HOTLINE
800-638-2772
(Se habla Español)
WEBSITE
www.cpsc.gov <
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