Does Your Infant’s Crib Bedding Pass CPSC Baby Crib Safety Ratings For Sheets?
Most of us are very aware of baby crib safety ratings and standards for cots and mattresses. But do we know enough about crib sheets, bedding and bumpers to protect our infants? The CPSC’s baby crib safety ratings and standards for sheets are crystal clear about the do’s and don’t’s of baby bedding.
Let’s take a look at what they suggest:
The CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) is the public’s protector. They do a terrific job when it comes to watching out for our kids. Their general baby crib safety ratings system contributes to higher standards in the industry. With crib sheets, the same will be true. They have uncovered a number of incidents where tiny infants have become entangled in sheets. Two deaths could even be related to fitted sheets.
It is absolutely crucial to make sure that the mattress is firm and fits tightly into the crib, even if this makes it slightly uncomfortable to make the bed. This is the first step.
It is of little use to make sure that your choice of crib and mattress comply with baby crib safety ratings, but then neglect to take this standard through to the sheets. When it comes to baby bedding, you have to purchase sheets that will fit very snugly over the mattress. Babies are amazingly active during their naps. If the sheet doesn’t come with an adequate overlap, it may very well slip off the mattress during the night, creating a strangulation or suffocation risk. If you don’t have a clean sheet available, never be tempted to use a large, ordinary bed sheet as a replacement. This is extremely dangerous.
Also remember to remove any loose items from the crib. This includes pillows, soft toys, bumpers and comforters. If you have a sheepskin in the crib, also take this out. There is a growing awareness of crib bumper pad safety. Many bumpers can’t be fixed securely enough to the crib to be entirely safe. Some are also very bulky and may present a risk of suffocation. A baby-fitted blanket or sleeper set is preferable to loose sheets or personalized blankets in the crib.
More and more manufacturers try to come up with solutions to make the crib safer for our infants. Product lines such as JR StayPut Safety Crib Sheets may help to reduce the risks associated with crib bedding. Look into these products with care and make sure that they comply with the CPSC’s baby crib safety ratings and standards for bedding.
Important Notice: Please note the CPSC’s Jardine Enterprises Cribs recall.
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