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Tips for Your Baby's Safety

By Consumer Product Safety Commission

From the beginning of a newborn's life, products such as cribs, carriers, strollers and other equipment intended for a young child must be selected with safety in mind. The checklist below is a safety guide to help you when buying new or second-hand nursery equipment.

Baby crib

Crib

  1. The crib should have slats that are spaced no more than 2 3/8 inches apart.
  2. Mattress is to fit snugly-less than 2 finger widths between the edge of the mattress and the crib side.
  3. The head and foot boards should not have decorative cut-outs large enough for the baby's head to be entrapped.
  4. The drop-side latches should securely hold sides in raised position.
  5. The baby should not be able to easily release them.
  6. The crib's corner posts are not to be any higher than 1/16inch.
  7. All screws or bolts must be securely in place.
  8. As the infant grows, do not place a crib near drapes or blinds where a child could become entangled and strangled in cords.
  9. When your child reaches 35 inches in height or can climb and/or fall over the sides, replace the crib with toddler bed.

Carrier Seats

  1. Never use a carrier seat as a car seat.
  2. For stability, it should have a wide sturdy base.
  3. To prevent slipping, it should have non-skid feet.
  4. There should be both a useable crotch and waist strap.
  5. All supporting devices need to lock in securely.

Back Carrier

  1. This should not be used until the baby is 4 to 5 months old. By then the baby's neck is able to withstand jolts and not sustain an injury.
  2. The leg openings need to be large enough to prevent chafing yet small enough to prevent your child from slipping out.
  3. There should be a restraining strap to secure your child.
  4. The metal frame should have padded covering near the baby's face and have no pinch points in the folding mechanism.

Bassinet/Cradle

  1. Make sure to follow the manufacturer's guidelines on weight and size restrictions.
  2. For stability, the bassinet/cradle's bottom needs to be sturdy and wide.
  3. To prevent folding while in use, the legs must have strong effective locks.
  4. The mattress is to be firm and fit snugly.
  5. The surfaces need to be smooth-no protruding staples or hardware that could injure the baby.

Changing Table

  1. Do not leave the baby on the table unattended.
  2. To prevent falls, make sure the table has safety straps that you use.
  3. If the table has drawers or shelves, make sure they are easily accessible.
Baby stroller

Stroller

  1. Make sure to follow the manufacturer's guidelines on weight and size restrictions.
  2. Brakes should securely lock the wheels.
  3. There should be a seat belt and crotch strap securely attached to the frame.
  4. To prevent tipping, the stroller should have a wide base.
  5. For stability, the shopping basket needs to be low on the back and directly over or in front of the rear wheels.





Playpen

  1. Never leave an infant in a mesh playpen with the drop side down.
  2. Young infants can roll into the space between the mattress and the mesh side and suffocate.
  3. The mesh must have a small weave of less than 1/4 inch openings.
  4. It is to have no tears, holes or loose threads.
  5. The slats on wooden play pens are to be spaced no more than 2 3/8 inches apart.

Pacifiers

  1. The nipple is to have no holes or tears that might cause it to break off in your baby's mouth.
  2. The shield is to be large and firm enough not to fit in your child's mouth.
  3. No ribbon, string, cord or yarn should be attached to the pacifier.

Rattles, Squeeze Toys and Teethers

  1. Rattles, squeeze toys and teethers are to be large enough not to lodge in your baby's throat.
  2. Rattles are to be made of sturdy construction.
  3. Squeeze toys are not to contain a squeaker that can become detached and choke your baby.

Car Seats

By the American Academy of Pediatrics

Baby car seat
  1. Read the instruction manual that came with your car seat and the owner's manual that came with your car for instructions to correctly install your car seat.

  2. If you need help installing your car seat, contact a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician by calling toll-free 1-866-732-8243.

  3. There are 2 types of car seats:
    • infant only
    • convertible (infant up to toddler)

  4. All infants should ride rear-facing until they have reached their first birthday and weigh at least 20 pounds.

  5. Rear-facing car seats need more than one harness slot to give your baby room to grow, two or more buckle positions and overhead shields which can be adjusted.

  6. Never use a car seat that:
    • is 10 years and older (check the label for the date it was made);
    • has any visible cracks in the frame of the seat;
    • does not have a label with date of manufacture and model number;
    • does not come with instructions;
    • is missing parts;
    • is a shield booster;
    • was recalled

For more information on child safety and product recalls call the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) hotline at 1-800-638-2772 or visit their website at http://www.cpsc.gov

For additional information on child safety seat inspection call the Auto Safety Hotline, Child Safety Seat Information Services at 1-888-581-9181 or log on to www.nhtsa.dot.gov



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