If you’ve just had a baby, you’re expecting, or you’re taking care of a young child, it’s important that you provide them with a safe sleeping environment. Babies spend much of their time sleeping, and their nursery should be the safest room in the house.
Officials with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) are working to create a safer generation of cribs through a number of new federal requirements.
Our Fort Myers child injury attorneys understand that 10,000 infant ER visits a year are because of crib malfunctions or mishaps. What’s more, 100 infants and toddlers each year die as a result of unsafe sleeping environments, according to NBC NEWS. Now, officials are requiring cribs with traditional drop-sides to not be made or sold. They are also not allowing any kind of repair kits or immobilizers. The wood slats on current cribs are required to be manufactured at strength to prevent the wood from breaking. Also, cribs hardware is required to come equipped with anti-loosening devices to keep parts from coming loose or completely falling off.
The mattress supports must also be more durable and officials are required to put these cribs through more rigorous safety tests.
Aside from relying on cribmakers to produce safer cribs, there are things that we can do as parents to make sure that they’re safe in their slumber. Review the following safety tips from the CPSC to ensure that your child is getting a safe night’s rest:
-To make sure that your child doesn’t suffocate, you should never put any pillows or quilts in the areas where he/she sleeps.
-You want to make sure that there are no gaps that are any larger than two fingers between the crib and the mattress.
-Make sure that the crib is properly assembled. Make sure that you follow all of the instructions from the manufacturer. If you’re having trouble setting up your new crib, give the manufacturer a call for help.
-You never want to use old cribs. If it’s more than 10 years old — toss it out.
-You only want to use mattress pads that come with the crib or play yard. Never add in extra padding.
-Be cautious of where you place the crib. Never put it near blinds or curtains with cords. Children can strangle on these cords.
-Check that all furniture complies with up-to-date safety requirements and is appropriate for your baby’s age. This is especially important when you are using previously owned pieces bought or passed on as gifts.
And keep your eye on the safety announcements and recalls regarding child products and cribs. Since 2007, the CPSC has recalled almost 7 million cribs. More than 6 million of those have been drop sides.
In fact, of the more than 4,500 sudden, unexpected infant deaths each year, statistics show that as many as 80-90 percent are the result of unsafe sleep practices. These are preventable deaths.
Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner, Attorneys for the Injured, is a law firm that is dedicated to representing those who have been the victim of personal injury in South Florida. Call today to for a free and confidential consultation to discuss your case. 1-800-283-2900.
More Blog Entries:
Southwest Florida Traffic Safety: Child Car Seats in Focus, Florida Injury Lawyer Blog, October 4, 2013
Tighter Safety Standards for Children’s Play Yards, Florida Injury Lawyer Blog, March 22, 2013