Crib Safety - Booklet

2003
ISBN: 0-662-67865-6
Cat. No.: H46-2/03-332

Help on accessing alternative formats, such as Portable Document Format (PDF), Microsoft Word and PowerPoint (PPT) files, can be obtained in the alternate format help section.

Table of Contents

• Crib Safety
• List of some current requirements for new or used cribs
• Using the crib safely
• Contact information

Crib Safety

For your children's safety, only use cribs manufactured after September 1986. Cribs made before this date do not meet current standards and put children at risk. Check for a label affixed to or printed on the crib that shows the date of manufacture. Do not use the crib if you do not find the label or if the label indicates a date of manufacture prior to September 1986.

Using a crib manufactured before September 1986 poses potential hazards that may result in serious injuries, including death.

Some of the fatalities related to cribs manufactured prior to September 1986 include:

• Babies suffocated after being trapped between a collapsed mattress and the side of the crib.
• Babies suffocated with their head stuck inside the crib, after the body slipped between slats.
• Babies strangled because their clothing caught on corner posts.
• Babies suffocated when crib parts broke or were missing and the child became trapped between the crib's side and the mattress or between the side and the headboard.

Cribs must have a mattress support system that is bolted or secured into the end panel and cannot collapse or become dislodged as a result of normal use. The height of the mattress support should not be adjustable without the aid of tools.

If you have a crib with a mattress support system as shown in the following two figures, it fails to meet the current safety standards and legally, it cannot be sold or even given away.

List of Some Current Requirements For New or Used Cribs:

• Mattress supplied with crib must be no thicker than 15 cm (6 in) and must fit snugly. No more than a 3 cm (1 3/16 in) gap on any side is allowed when the mattress is pushed into one of the corners of the crib.
  
• A label containing the following information must be permanently affixed to the crib:
  1. Name and place of business of Canadian manufacturer/ importer;
  2. Model name or number;
  3. Date of manufacture (year and month);
  4. Warning statement about strict adherence to instructions, size of mattress and proper use of product.
• Assembly instructions and parts list must be either permanently printed on product or included in a pouch attached to the crib.
• Space between the slats must not be more than 6 cm (2 3/8 in).
• Crib must be in good repair, i.e.:
  • no broken, cracked or missing parts;
  • wood smooth and free of splinters;
  • metal free of burrs and sharp edges;
  • no loose bolts or nuts;
  • slats must not be loose or turn when twisted.
• Only parts obtained from the original manufacturer must be used for repairs.
• Do not use a crib with mismatched parts.
• Crib should not have corner posts which extend more than 3 mm (1/8 in) above the highest side.

Using the crib safely:

Always make sure crib sides are locked in the highest position.

Babies should never be harnessed or tied in a crib because they could strangle while trying to climb out.

Never tie a pacifier or other items such as: necklaces, elastics or scarves, around a baby's neck as this will pose a strangulation hazard.

Mobiles should not be accessible to the baby.

As soon as a baby is able to sit up:

• Remove crib exercisers or any toys that are strung across the crib.
• Place the mattress support at its lowest position. Also, remove large toys that could serve as steps to climb out. Stop using the crib when the baby can climb out.

Never place a crib in front of a window or within reach of blind or drapery cords.The baby's head could become caught in the cords, resulting in strangulation. Babies develop climbing skills as they grow and may climb onto the window ledge and fall through the window.

To reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), healthy babies should be placed on their back to sleep. Soft mattresses, pillows, comforters, bumper pads and stuffed toys should be avoided. Babies' environment should be kept smoke-free. If a room temperature is comfortable for adults, it is also comfortable for a baby. Babies should be dressed and covered in a manner to avoid overheating, even during an illness.

Verify the condition of the crib assembly on a regular basis.

• Check for any loose parts.
• Ensure that screws and bolts are tight.
• Prevent cuts and abrasions by removing or changing plastic teething rail covers when cracked or damaged.

Crib mattresses should be in good condition. If they are too soft or worn down in any area, a gap or hollow may be created where a baby's head could become lodged resulting in a risk of suffocation.

NEVER place a baby on a water bed or an air mattress.

If you have any questions after checking the crib, please contact the nearest Consumer Product Safety Office, Health Canada, listed below: