Bringing home a new baby is an exciting time for parents, and families must plan ahead and prepare the home and nursery before an infant arrives. To help ensure the safety of your youngest children, follow Home Safety Council's guidelines to select and maintain a crib for your new baby.
Find out if cribs, especially older models, have been recalled. Visit the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) website at www.cpsc.gov for recent updates.
Make sure crib hardware is strong and secure.
Remove soft bedding, pillows, toys and stuffed animals from the crib.
Use sleepers instead of blankets.
Follow the product guidelines for crib toys and discontinue use at the recommended age. If toys attach to crib railings, hang these on the wall side of the crib.
Make sure the crib sheet and mattress fit tightly to avoid entrapment and suffocation.
Remove bumper pads to deter children from climbing out easily.
Keep cribs away from windows and window blind cords.
For metal or wooden cribs, make sure slats are 2 3/8 inches apart of less. Corner posts should not be over 1/16 inch high. Avoid headboards and footboards with cutouts large enough that a baby's head can become trapped.
For mesh-sided cribs or playpens look for mesh less than 1/4 inch in size, securely attached to the top rail and floor plate. If staples are used, make sure none are missing or exposed.
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