Baby cribs are responsible for more than 10,000 injuries a year and over 60 deaths per year. This number is staggering when you consider that a baby’s crib should be one of the safest place for your baby to be.
One way to make sure your baby crib is safe is to periodically check it for broken or loosen hardware. As you baby begins to jump and bounce around in the crib, the hardware can become loose. Keeping in mind that most baby crib injuries come from a crib coming apart, it is a good idea to tighten the hardware of baby’s crib every few months.
The slates of the crib need to be less than 2 3/8 inches a part. One easy way to check this is to take a soda can and try to fit it between the slates. If it slides through, then the slates are too far away.
Make sure that the crib mattress fits snugly in the crib bed. There should be very little space between the mattress and the sides of the crib.
You can also check to make sure the crib is located in a safe place. There should be more than 1 foot between the crib and any furniture. If the space is less than 1 foot, your baby can possible get lodged in that space if your baby climbs out of the crib.
The baby crib should be at least 3 feet from any window with drapery or blinds. If you have drapery cords hanging down, be sure to tie them up or cut them in half. The cord is a potential choking hazard and can also be used to assist your child in climbing out of the crib.
Even though it may be tempting to add decorative pillows or stuffed animals to your baby’s crib, it is best to keep these things out of your baby’s crib because they pose a suffocation risk.
There is still some debate about using baby bumpers. Some believe that this type of crib bedding poses a suffocation and choking hazard. Others recommend bumper pads because they prevent your baby from sticking an arm or leg through the railings. If you chose to use a bumper pad, make sure the bumper pad fits around the entire inside of the baby crib. There should be no area inside of the baby crib where the baby could wedge his head between the bumper and the inside of the baby crib.
It should have a tie for each of the four corners and a tie in the middle of each long side. Ideally, the bumper pad should tie at the top and bottom edge.
After securely tying the bumper pad to the baby crib, trim off the excess strings. They can pose a potential safety and choking hazard. Be sure to check to make sure it remains securely tied to the baby crib. Once your child can pull up to a standing position, it is time to remove the bumper pad. Your child could use it to try to climb out of the baby crib.
The last most important step you can take is to check the recall site to see if your baby crib has been recalled.
These tips along with other baby crib articles can be found online at Babycribcentral.com.
This video and transcript should be used as a basic informational guide to baby crib safety. If you have any question about whether a used crib is safe or not -- Do not use the crib. Seek professional advise on whether or not the crib is assembled in a safe manner and has not been recalled because of potential safety hazards.
The best solution: Buy a new and safe baby crib through our free search service.
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