Baby Cribs Safety : Quality Baby Furniture Always Emphasizes Safety First

May 25, 2009

By system

By Ursula Ansbach. BABY CRIB SAFETY: Quality Baby Furniture Always Emphasizes Safety First. Your first baby is on its way and you and your family are so excited. Grandma Cheryl and Auntie Michelle are offering you their baby cribs and you’re sharing stories that build family history and tradition. Beautiful family memories are being made.

But before you say yes to that antique family crib, be sure to check to see if it meets the safety standards set by the Consumer Products Safety Commission for safe baby cribs. Additionally there are voluntary standards set by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association(JPMA). When a manufacturer meets these voluntary conditions it is a signal to you that this is a high quality baby crib designed with safety in mind.

What many of us may not know is that antique or used baby cribs are actually responsible for a majority of crib related injuries. Many of the approximately 12,000 annual injuries suffered by baby’s are due to used baby cribs that do not meet current baby crib safety standards. If you are thinking of using a previously owned crib be sure to check and see if it meets the following regulations.

According to the Consumer Products Safety Commission safe baby cribs should adhere to the following:

• A firm, tight fitting mattress so a baby cannot get trapped between the mattress and the crib • Cribs that are assembled wrong, have missing, loose or broken hardware or broken slats can result in entrapment or suffocation deaths. Infants can strangle when their head and neck become entrapped in gaps created by missing, loose or broken hardware or broken slats. Purchase high quality baby cribs that are easy to assemble and meet these baby crib safety standards. • No more than 2 3/8 inches (about the width of a soda can) between crib slats so a baby’s body cannot fit through the slats; no missing or cracked slats. • Safety standards for baby cribs require there should be no corner posts over 1/16th inch high so a baby’s clothing cannot catch. • Safety standards for baby cribs require there be no cutouts in the headboard or foot board so a baby’s head cannot get trapped.

For safe mesh-sided cribs or playpens, look for:

o Mesh less than 1/4 inch in size, smaller than the tiny buttons on a baby’s clothing. o Mesh securely attached to top rail and floor plate. o Top rail cover with no tears or holes. o Mesh with no tears, holes or loose threads that could entangle a baby. o If staples are used, they are not missing, loose or exposed.

The JPMA Certification Program, a voluntary set of standards for juvenile products, was established in 1976 and continues to grow and play an important role in the juvenile products industry. More than 2000 products are JPMA Certified in 20 categories. The JPMA Certification Seal on a product tells consumers it has been verified as conforming to the requirements established by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), through independent laboratory testing and follow-up, on-site inspection of the manufacturers production line. These manufacturers are held to high safety standards with a focus on reliability and functionality. Manufacturers are obligated to meet those principles with every product. The Directory of Certified Products is available in all retail stores and lists the manufacturers of products bearing the JPMA certification seal. By placing a JPMA certification seal on a product, the manufacturer certifies this is a high quality baby crib, meeting more than just the basic baby crib safety standards and the requirements for certification. Our symbol of certification is a symbol of confidence that the juvenile products have met high performance standards. This confidence extends to customers in the buying decisions they make.

To be certain that your are purchasing a high quality baby crib that meets the most stringent baby crib safety standards look for the Consumer Products Safety Commission approval and the JPMA Certification!

Enjoy your shared family stories and traditions! At the same time, consider that the antique family crib may not be the best item to share – unless it meets all baby crib safety standards it may be better to consider the purchase of a new bed for your little one.

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