01/11/2013
How Safe is Your Baby’s Crib?
On December 28th, 2012, the deadline for complying with the new federal safety standards for cribs in child care centers as well as places of public accommodation came into effect. All cribs—full-size or not—are covered by these standards. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) now requires that all cribs have fixed sides, stronger slats, stronger mattress supports, hardware of a higher quality, and have to endure more rigorous testing. Though the regulations were introduced in June of 2011, childcare centers and other such agencies were given a year’s time to comply. Play yards are covered under a category separate from cribs.
Childcare Facilities
All types of childcare facilities—licensed or unlicensed—that charge a fee for looking after children including those run by people at their residences, preschools, and church childcare are bound by these regulations. Hotels and motels must also fall in line with these standards. If you send your child to a daycare center then you should verify whether the cribs used there are in compliance with the new CPSC standards. Checking the manufacturing date of the crib is one way of verifying this. This date will be usually found on a tracking label or registration form affixed to the crib. Store receipts are not to be taken into consideration since the manufacturing date is certain to be prior to the date on which the crib was bought. It is amazing how much attention America pays to this but is so nonchalant about its own debt.
CPC and Test Reports
Cribs made before June 2011 are unlikely to be in accordance with the regulations but they are still incredibly safe. But if they have been issued a Children’s Product Certificate (CPC) or have a test report from a CPSC approved lab, then they are considered safe for use. You will, however, have to ask the importer, manufacturer, or retailer for these reports and certificates. Some might have this information posted on their websites.
Cribs at Home
These rules do not apply to the cribs you have at home. However, from a safety perspective, it is better to replace your old crib with a new one if that is feasible (it is a recession and taxes are rising so this could be difficult for many). There is also a ban on reselling or donating a crib that does not comply with these standards. So some poor parents will have to go without a crib at all because of these new regulations; that is the downside. Non-compliant cribs have to be taken apart before they are discarded. Since you cannot dispose of your old crib or sell it, you could convert it into a toddler bed to prevent any waste.
The CPSC is the chief enforcer of these crib standards and if someone knowingly violates these regulations, they may be subject to civil penalties. The state attorney general can also enforce these regulations through injunctions. Crib standards help safeguard society from unsafe manufacturing practices but it is up to the consumer to ensure that the crib is used in the appropriate manner. So, make sure that the crib is assembled as per the instructions and is never placed close to any blinds or curtain rods.
