Safety Regulations for Baby Cribs

A crib is the place where your baby spends time in, whenever he is out of your arms. For all parents, baby safety is the first priority. It is this concern that the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) has addressed by setting safety regulations for baby cribs. New safety regulations and guidelines have been introduced as recently as 1996. Hence if you want to use your own crib or any other baby crib that is quite old, then there are chances that this crib does not meet the current safety regulations for cribs. Want to ensure that your baby's crib meets the current safety standard? Then you should know the latest safety regulations for baby cribs.

Safety Regulations for Baby Cribs - By the CPSC
Below is a list of safety regulations that the CPSC prescribes for baby cribs.

• First and foremost, all the crib slats must be intact. Be it slats or any wooden part of the crib, there shouldn't be any splits, cracks or any other damage on them.
• The space between two slats should not exceed 2.375 inches. This is to prevent the baby from slipping out through the slats.
• Even if the corner posts have knobs or other pieces of decoration, it should not rise more than 1/16" above the end panels of the crib. This safety regulation for cribs has been set to minimize the probability of his baby clothing getting entangled on the crib.
• CPSC health safety regulations regarding baby cribs, requires mattress support hangers to be secured to the frame of crib frame with bolts or closed hooks. In case open hooks are used to secure the mattress supporters, then there are chances of the support hanger getting unhooked. This would create a space between the mattress and the sides of the crib. The baby could slide into this place and get trapped or hurt.
• The distance between the inner side of the crib and the edge of the mattress should not exceed two fingers width. The mattress should be of a proper size with respect to the crib, such that it just not slip out of place every time the baby turns. Read more about round crib mattress
• The crib mattress should be firm, so that they provide proper support to the baby as it grows. This is to ensure that the baby is comfortable in the baby crib bedding.
• As the baby grows, the crib mattress support should be adjusted so that the baby can't climb out of the crib. For newborns, the crib mattress support should be set at the highest level. When the baby is about 4 to 6 months and is able to push up on their hands and knees, set the mattress holder at the middle level. When the baby is able to stand up at around 8 to 12 months, the mattress support should be reduced to the lowest level.
• CPSC health and safety regulations prohibit the use of any decorative cut-outs on the headboards or the footboards. This step is to prevent the baby's hands, legs or for that matter, any part of the baby's body from getting injured.
• Be it screws, bolts, or brackets, the CPSC safety regulations and guidelines do not allow any loose, damaged, missing or improperly installed hardware on a baby crib.

General Safety Regulations and Guidelines for Baby Cribs
Just ensuring that the baby crib physically meets all the safety regulations set by CPSC is not where the responsibilities of parents end. For proper baby care, they must be careful about where they place the crib and how. To ensure optimum safety for your baby, keep the crib at least one foot away from any wall or furniture. Never place the crib close to any drapery, blind cords or wall hangings. Also do not put large toys or pillows in the crib as the baby may use these as a support to climb out of the crib. Check all the parts of the crib for damage. If you see any defect, get the part replaced or repaired. Also ensure that your baby bedding is comfortable, as per as your baby's age.

CPSC discourages the use of second hand cribs. However, in case you do opt for one, check for all the safety regulations for baby cribs set by the body. Whether you use a second hand crib or a brand new one, ensure that you are careful about the condition of the crib, as the crib is one place where your baby mostly lies unattended.