The following safety guidelines are adapted from the United States
Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). They are for various equipment found
in nurseries, both at home and in child care settings.
Back carriers
All back carriers should meet the following safety standards:
Check if meets standards
Leg openings are small enough to prevent
child from slipping out.
Leg openings are large enough to prevent
chafing.
Frames have no pinch points in the
folding mechanism.
Carrier has padded covering over metal
frame near baby's face.
Note:
Do not use a framed back carrier until the baby is 4
or 5 months old, when his or her neck is able to withstand jolts and not
sustain an injury.
Bassinets and cradles
All bassinets and cradles should meet the following safety standards:
Check if meets standards
Bassinet/cradle has a sturdy bottom and a wide base
for stability.
Bassinet/cradle has smooth surfaces-no
protruding staples or other hardware that could injure the baby.
Legs have strong, effective locks to prevent folding
while in use.
Mattress is firm and fits snugly.
Wood or metal cradles have slats spaced no
more than 2 3/8 inches (60 mm) apart.
Note:
Follow the manufacturer's guidelines on weight and
size of baby who can safely use these products.
Carrier seats
All carrier seats should meet the following safety standards:
Check if meets standards
Carrier seat has a wide, sturdy base for stability.
Carrier has nonskid feet to prevent slipping.
Supporting devices lock securely.
Carrier seat has crotch and waist strap.
Buckle or strap is easy to use.
Note:
Never use the carrier as a car seat unless it is
labeled for that purpose.
Changing tables
All changing tables should meet the following safety standards:
Check if meets standards
Table has safety straps to prevent falls.
Table has drawer or shelves that are easily
accessible without leaving the baby unattended.
Note:
Do not leave a baby on the table unattended. Always
use the straps to prevent the baby from falling.
Cribs
All cribs should meet the following safety standards:
Check if meets standards
Slats are spaced no more than 2 3/8 inches (60 mm)
apart.
No slats are missing, loose, or cracked.
Mattress fits snugly-no more than two
finger-widths between edge of mattress and crib side.
Mattress support is securely attached to the
headboard and footboard.
Corner posts are no higher than 1/16 inch (1.5
mm).
Top edges of headboard and footboard have no
cutouts.
Drop-side latches cannot be easily released by baby.
Drop-side latches securely hold sides in raised
position.
All screws, bolts, and other hardware are
present and tight.
Note:
Do not place crib near draperies or blinds. A child
can strangle on window cords or fall through screens. When the child reaches 35
inches (90 cm) in height, he or she has outgrown the crib and should sleep in a
bed.
Crib toys
All crib toys should meet the following safety standards:
Check if meets standards
No strings or cords should dangle into the
crib.
Crib gym or mobile has a label warning to
remove from crib when child can push up on hands and knees or reaches 5 months
of age, whichever comes first.
Toy parts are too large to be a choking
hazard.
Note:
Avoid hanging toys across the crib or on crib corner
posts with strings long enough to result in strangulation. Remove crib gyms
when child is able to pull or push up on hands and knees.
Gates and enclosures
All gates and enclosures should meet the following safety standards:
Check if meets standards
Openings in gate are too small to entrap a
child's head or neck.
Gate has a pressure bar or other fastener that will
resist forces exerted by a child.
Note:
Hazardous accordion-style gates with large V-shaped
or diamond-shaped openings aren't made anymore. But they may be sold at yard
sales or thrift stores. Do not use them.
High chairs
All high chairs should meet the following safety standards:
Check if meets standards
There is a crotch strap that can restrain a
child in a high chair.
High chair has restraining straps that are
independent of the tray.
Tray locks securely.
Buckles on straps are easy to fasten and
unfasten.
High chair has a wide base for stability.
Caps or plugs on tubing are firmly attached and
cannot be pulled off and choke a child.
Folding high chairs have an effective locking
device.
Note:
The feeding tray is not a restraint. Only safety
straps keep the child from climbing out of the high chair or sliding down and
strangling.
Pacifiers
All pacifiers should meet the following safety standards:
Check if meets standards
No ribbon, string, cord, or yarn is attached to
pacifier.
Shield is large enough and firm enough to not fit in
child's mouth.
Guard or shield has ventilation holes so the baby
can breathe if the shield does get into the mouth.
Pacifier nipple has no holes or tears that might
cause it to break off in baby's mouth.
Note:
Never hang anything around your baby's neck.
Playpens
All playpens should meet the following safety standards:
Check if meets standards
Playpens or travel cribs have top rails that
will automatically lock when lifted into the normal use position.
Playpen does not have a rotating hinge in the
center of the top rails.
Drop-side mesh playpen or mesh crib has label
warning never to leave a side in the down position.
Mesh has small weave (less than 1/4 inch [7 mm]
openings).
Mesh has no tears or loose threads.
Mesh is securely attached to top rail and
floorplate.
Wooden playpen has slats spaced no more than
2 3/8 inches (60 mm) apart.
Note:
Never leave an infant in a mesh playpen or crib with
the drop-side down. Infants can roll into the space between the mattress and
loose mesh side and suffocate.
Rattles, squeeze toys, teethers
All rattles, squeeze toys, and teethers should meet the following safety standards:
Check if meets standards
Rattles, squeeze toys, and teethers have
handles too large to lodge in a baby's throat.
Squeeze toys do not contain a squeaker that
could detach and choke a baby.
Rattles should not have ends shaped like a
ball.
Note:
To prevent suffocation, take rattles, squeeze toys,
teethers, and other toys out of the crib or playpen when the baby
sleeps.
Strollers and carriages
All strollers and carriages should meet the following safety standards:
Check if meets standards
Stroller or carriage has a wide base to prevent
tipping.
Seat belt and crotch strap are securely attached to
frame.
Seat belt buckle is easy to use.
Brakes securely lock the wheel(s).
Shopping basket is low on the back and directly over
or in front of rear wheels for stability.
When used in carriage position, leg hole openings
can be closed.
Note:
Always secure the seat belts. Never leave a child
unattended in a stroller. Close the opening between the handrest (grab bar) and
seat when using a stroller in the reclined-carriage position. When folding or
unfolding a stroller, keep your child away from it.
Toy chests
All toy chests should meet the following safety standards:
Check if meets standards
Chest has no lid latch, which could entrap child
within the chest.
Hinged lid has a spring-loaded lid support that will
support the lid in any position and will not require periodic adjustment.
Chest has ventilation holes or spaces in front or
sides or under the lid, in case a child should get inside.
Note:
If you already own a toy chest or trunk with a freely
falling lid, remove the lid to avoid a head injury to a small child, or install
a spring-loaded lid support.
For more information, see the Consumer
Product Safety Commission Web site (www.cpsc.gov).
Other Places To Get Help
Organization
U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission
4330 East West Highway
Bethesda, MD 20814
Phone:
1-800-638-2772 (301) 504-7923
Fax:
(301) 504-0124 and (301) 504-0025
TDD:
1-800-638-8270
Web Address:
www.cpsc.gov
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is an
independent federal regulatory agency. The goal of this agency is to save lives
and keep families safe by reducing the risk of injuries and deaths associated
with consumer products. CPSC develops safety standards, recalls products or
organizes how they will be repaired, researches possible product hazards, and
informs the general public about these and other safety issues. You can call
their toll-free number or e-mail them to report unsafe products.
Consumer Product Safety Commission (2003).
The Safe Nursery: A Booklet to Help Avoid Injuries From Nursery Furniture and Equipment. Available online:
http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PUBS/202.pdf.
Credits
Author
Debby Golonka, MPH
Editor
Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor
Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer
Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics
Specialist Medical Reviewer
Thomas Emmett Francoeur, MDCM, CSPQ, FRCPC - Pediatrics
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
