DC Metro Area Personal Injury Law Blog

Posted at 2:14 AM on January 16, 2008 by Regan Zambri & Long

Using a Portable Crib or Play Yard? Do You Know How Safe It Is ?

According to an estimate by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), there are 20,000,000 unsafe cribs/play yards either in use or in storage.  It's important that parents and other care givers check for safety before putting a baby into a portable crib or play yard. 

The following crib and play yard safety checklist from the CPSC is labeled as a hotel and motel safety checklist.  However, checking for these safety hazards is common sense advice that should be applied to any crib or play yard that is expected to be used.  

"Check the crib for the following safety hazards:

1. Crib has been recalled (check on CPSC's web site). ___Yes ___No
2. Crib slats are more than 23/8 inches (60 mm) apart. ___Yes ___No
3. Slats are loose, missing, or cracked. ___Yes ___No
4. Mattress is too loose -- more than two finger-widths between the edge of the mattress and the crib side. ___Yes ___No
5. Corner posts are higher than 1/16th inch (11/2 mm). ___Yes ___No
6. There are cutouts in the headboard or foot board. ___Yes ___No
7. Drop-side latches could be easily released by baby. ___Yes ___No
8. Screws or bolts that secure crib components are loose. ___Yes ___No
9. Mattress support is not securely attached to head/foot board. ___Yes ___No
10. Crib is provided with a normal sheet instead of a crib sheet. ___Yes ___No
11. Crib is provided with a pillow, comforter, or soft bedding. ___Yes ___No

Additional comments or concerns:

_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Note: If any item receives a "yes" response, the crib should be removed from service until it is repaired or replaced.

Mesh Cribs/Play Yards:

Play yard brand name and model # ___________________________________

Check the mesh crib/play yard for the following hazards:

1. Mesh crib/play yard has been recalled (check on CPSC's web site). ___Yes ___No
2. Mesh has large weave (1/4 inch openings or greater). ___Yes ___No  ___NA
3. Mesh has tears, holes, or loose threads. ___Yes ___No  ___NA
4. Mesh is not securely attached to top rail and floor plate. ___Yes ___No  ___NA
5. Top rail cover has tears or holes. ___Yes ___No  ___NA
6. If staples are used, some are missing, loose or exposed. ___Yes ___No  ___NA
7. Mesh crib/play yard is provided with a pillow, comforter, or other soft bedding. ___Yes ___No

Additional comments or concerns:

_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Note: If any item receives a "yes" response, the crib should be removed from service until it is repaired or replaced.

For additional safety information on cribs and other children's products, visit CPSC's web site (www.cpsc.gov) or call its toll-free hotline (800/638-2772)."  

Keeping Babies Safe: A Child Product Safety Organization is a useful resource for learning about these and other safety issues involving baby products.  In addition to providing details about recalls and general safety advice, the site includes links to many other sites, including Recalls.gov, CPSC, National Safety Council, Safety Alerts and Recalls.

If your infant has been injured as the result of an unsafe portable crib or play yard, please contact us online or by calling the law firm of Regan Zambri & Long, PLLC at 202-463-3030 for further information about your rights. 

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