The Ban on Drop-Side Cribs
On December 15, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced new federal crib standards that will stop the sale, manufacture, resale, and distribution of drop-side cribs.
Since 2001, 32 infants have died as a result of drop-side crib hazards. Faulty parts, missing hardware and worn out joints can cause the drop-side to loosen and infants to fall and become trapped between the mattress and the side of the crib. This can lead to injury, strangulation and in some cases suffocation.
Around 170,000 cribs were originally recalled in May 2010 after six infants were seriously injured and deaths had been reported that may have been linked to drop-side cribs. Since then, millions of cribs have been recalled.
The CPSC, in conjunction with state senators and grieving parents, has officially passed a bill that will stop the sale, manufacture, resale, and distribution of drop-side cribs. This bill will also prohibit the use of drop-side cribs at motels, hotels, and child care facilities. These regulations will take effect June 2011.
The CPSC recommends that all parents and caregivers inspect their cribs (drop-side or not) to ensure child and infant safety. The Springfield-Greene County Library system also has lots of great titles for researching baby products and making your home safer.
The Safe Baby by Debra Smiley Holtzman
Popular Mechanics' Home Safety Handbook by Nancy J. Becker
The Baby Owner's Manual: Operating Instructions, Troubleshooting Tips, and Advice on First-Year Maintenance by Louis and Joe Borgenicht
Consumer Reports' Best Baby Products by Sandra Gordon
Baby Stuff: A No-Nonsense Guide for Every Parent's Lifestyle by Ari and Joanna Lipper
Baby 411: Clear Answers and Smart Advice for Your Baby's First Year by Ari Brown
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