Crib
Safety Tips
Use
Your Crib Safely
For infants under 12 months of age, follow these practices to reduce the
risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) and prevent suffocation:
Place baby
on his/her back in a crib with a firm, tight-fitting mattress.
Do not put
pillows, quilts, comforters, sheepskins, pillow-like bumper pads or pillow-like
stuffed toys in the crib.
Consider using a sleeper
instead of a blanket.
If you do use a blanket,
place baby with feet to foot of the crib. Tuck a thin blanket around the
crib mattress, covering baby only as high as his/her chest.
Use only
a fitted bottom sheet specifically made for crib use.
Check
Your Crib for Safety
There
should be:
A firm, tight-fitting mattress so a baby cannot get trapped
between the mattress and the crib.
No missing, loose,
broken or improperly installed screws, brackets or other hardware on the
crib or mattress support.
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.
No corner posts over 1/16th inch high so a baby's clothing
cannot catch.
No cutouts in the headboard or foot board so a baby's head
cannot get trapped.
For mesh-sided
cribs or playpens, look for:
Mesh less than 1/4
inch in size, smaller than the tiny buttons on a baby's clothing.
Mesh with
no tears, holes or loose threads that could entangle a baby.
Mesh securely
attached to top rail and floor plate.
Top rail cover with
no tears or holes.
If staples are used, they are not missing, loose or exposed.
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