Old Cribs & Safety

History

• Prior to 1973, no safety standards for cribs existed and as many as 200 children died annually in crib-related deaths. In 1973 and 1976 the Consumer Product Safety Commission issued the first mandatory standards for cribs, focusing on mattress fit, slat spacing and side height. In 1982, the standards were amended to add a prohibition on cutout designs on the ends of cribs. Then in 1986 and 1989, new standards were put into place regarding cribs, adding provisions on cornerpost entanglement dangers, structural and mechancial problems.

Considerations

• While 4 million babies are born in the United States each year, only 1 million new cribs are sold annually. Obviously, many parents are opting to use older or hand-me-down cribs. If parents choose not to buy a new crib, it is imperative that the parents investigate whether the crib has been involved in any recalls by going to www.recalls.gov.

  While many crib sides lower, some cribs use a drop-side mechanism. In 2009 and 2010, a huge recall of millions of cribs with drop sides took place. While not every crib with a drop-side was recalled, it is definitely an area of concern. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends, first of all, to never use a crib if it&'s more than 10 years old. If you have a drop-side crib, make sure it&'s not part of the recall. If it isn&'t recalled, carefully inspect the mechanism. If it&'s stable and not broken, you can get an immobilizer to make sure it&'s safe. The immobilizer is dependent on the model and must be obtained from the manufacturer.

Size

• When buying or borrowing a crib, make sure the slats are less than 2 and 3/8 inches apart, or about the width of a soda can, to prevent baby from becoming entrapped, according to the Children&'s Hospital of Pittsburgh. Also, make certain that, in the raised position, the top rail is 26 inches from the bottom of the crib&'s mattress to prevent falls. In the lowered position, it should be a distance of 9 inches. Finally, check that the corner posts are no more than 1/16th of an inch high so clothing cannot catch, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Features

• Consumer Reports recommends checking to see that, if a crib is painted, it isn&'t chipped or peeling. A concern with older cribs is if the paint contains lead it is a real hazard. Check the wood for any splinters. Inspect the hardware, making sure there are no missing or loose bolts or screws. A crucial area to check is the mattress supports. Make sure it is secure. The type of support that uses hooks and hangars is prone to problems and is best avoided.

Considerations

• According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, parents should make sure the crib has no rough edges or exposed bolts or screws that could scratch or cut the baby. Make sure there are no cut-out designs on the crib ends. The mattress must fit snugly into the crib so that less than two fingers fit between mattress and bed. The latches on the adjustable sides must be secure and the baby must not be able to adjust them or loosen them.