South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog
If there’s a baby in your home, if you’re expecting one or if you take care of one, there are a few things that you need to know about their sleep environment to help keep them safe. Because babies spend much of their time sleeping, the nursery should be the safest room in the house.
Please consider getting a new crib for your baby. If that is not possible, the AAP and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) encourage you to check the crib frequently to make sure that all hardware is secured tightly and that there are no loose, missing, or broken parts.
Our Vero Beach child injury lawyers understand that we want our children to be comfortable. But it’s important to remember that many cribs manufactured before 2010 are inherently flawed and do not meet more rigorous construction requirements for new cribs.
To prevent suffocation, never place pillows or any kind or thick quilts or blankets in a baby’s sleep environment. But that’s only the beginning. Read, review and share the following safety tips to help ensure your child’s safe sleep.
Researchers who studied 19 years of ER data say better prevention efforts are needed, but that recent safety measures including a ban on drop-side cribs, are likely to reduce those numbers. More than 9 million drop-side cribs have been recalled since 2007, CPSC says.
Child Crib Safety:
-You want to frequently check to make sure that there are no gaps between the sides of the crib and the mattress. You never want to be able to fit more than two fingers in between.
-When getting a new crib, make sure that you properly assemble it. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions. If you’re unsure or you can’t figure it out, call the manufacturer.
-If you’ve got an old crib, consider getting a new one. You never want to use one that’s more than 10 years old. You also don’t ever want to use one that is broken or one that has been modified.
-Use the mattress that comes with the play yard. Adding any kind of extra padding is only increasing the risks for suffocation.
-Be cautious of where you place the child’s crib. Keep it away from windows with curtains or blinds. Their cords can serve as a serious choking hazard.
To help to stiffen up the safety of these cribs, officials with the CPSC have released a new set of Child Crib Federal Requirements, too.
-Traditional drop-side cribs are no longer permitted. They cannot be made, sold or repaired.
-The wood slats of cribs are required to be stronger. There should be no risk of breakage anymore.
-Hardware must have anti-loosening devices to keep it from coming loose or falling off.
-Supports for the mattress must be much more durable.
-Safety tests are to be more rigorous, ensure the safety of our children.
According to NBC NEWS, almost 10,000 infants and toddlers are hurt in crib and playpen accidents each year. And with better planning, we can help to put an end to this danger.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, contact Freeman Injury Law for a free and confidential consultation to discuss your rights. Call 1-800-561-7777.
More Blog Entries:
Young Pedestrian Killed during Walk With Babysitter in Lake Worth, South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog, September 28, 2013
Activity Jumpers Pose Risks to Children in South Florida, South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog, August 4, 2013