Nursery Equipment Safety Checklist
Topic Overview
After you have read the U.S.
Consumer Product Safety Commission's The Safe Nursery: A Booklet to Help Avoid Injuries From Nursery Furniture and Equipment, use this checklist as your guide when buying new or
secondhand nursery products, or when you evaluate the product
now being used by your baby or young child. You may
want to add other features to check or add other children's
products. The booklet is available online at www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/chld_sfy.html.
The following safety guidelines are adapted from the U.S.
Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). They are for various equipment found
in nurseries, both at home and in child care settings. For more information, see the Consumer
Product Safety Commission website (www.cpsc.gov).
Back carriers
| Leg openings are small enough to prevent
child from slipping out. |
|
| Leg openings are large enough to prevent
chafing. |
|
| Frame joints in the
folding mechanism. |
|
| Carrier has padded covering over metal
frame near baby's face. |
|
Bassinets and cradles
| Bassinet/cradle has a sturdy bottom and a wide base
for stability. |
|
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Bassinet/cradle has smooth surfaces—no
protruding staples or other hardware that could injure the baby.
|
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| Legs have strong, effective locks to prevent folding
while in use. |
|
| Mattress is firm and fits snugly. |
|
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Wood or metal cradles have slats spaced no
more than 2 3/8 inches (60 mm) apart.
|
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Carrier seats
| Carrier seat has a wide, sturdy base for stability.
|
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| Carrier has non-skid feet to prevent slipping. |
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| Supporting devices lock securely. |
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| Carrier seat has a crotch and waist strap. |
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| Buckle or strap is easy to use. |
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Changing tables
| Table has safety straps to prevent falls. |
|
| Table has drawers or shelves that are easily
accessible without leaving the baby unattended. |
|
Cribs
| Slats are spaced no more than 2 3/8 inches (60 mm)
apart. |
|
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No slats are missing, loose, or cracked.
|
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Mattress fits snugly—no more than two
fingers width between edge of mattress and cribside.
|
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Mattress support is securely attached to the
headboard and footboard.
|
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Corner posts are no higher than 1/16 of an inch (1.5
mm).
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No cutouts in top edge of headboard and footboard.
|
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Drop-side latches cannot be easily released by a baby.
|
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Drop-side latches securely hold side in raised position.
|
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All screws, bolts, and other hardware are
present and tight.
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Crib toys
|
No strings or cords should dangle into the
crib.
|
|
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Crib gym or mobile has a label warning to
remove from crib when the child can push up on hands and knees or reaches 5 months
of age, whichever comes first. Note: Some mobiles have two parts: one without strings, like a music box, that can stay on the crib, and the mobile that should be removed from the crib.
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Components of toys are too large to be a choking
hazard.
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Gates and enclosures
|
Openings in gate are too small to entrap a
child's head or neck.
|
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| Gate has a pressure bar or other fastener that will
resist forces exerted by a child. |
|
High chairs
|
There is a "crotch" strap that must be used when restraining a
child in a high chair.
|
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High chair has restraining straps that are
independent of the tray.
|
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| Tray locks securely. |
|
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Buckles on straps are easy to fasten and
unfasten.
|
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High chair has a wide base for stability.
|
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| Caps or plugs on tubing are firmly attached and
cannot be pulled off and choke a child. |
|
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Folding high chairs have an effective locking
device.
|
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Hook-on chairs
| Chair has restraining straps. |
|
| Chair has a clamp that locks onto the table for added security. |
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| Caps or plugs on tubing are firmly attached and cannot be pulled off to choke child. |
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| Hook-on chair has a warning never to place chair where child can push off with feet. |
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Pacifiers
| Pacifier has no ribbons, string, cord, or yarn attached. |
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| Shield is large enough and firm enough so it cannot fit into child's mouth. |
|
| Guard or shield has ventilation holes so baby
can breathe if shield goes into mouth. |
|
| Pacifier nipple has no holes or tears that might
cause it to break off in baby's mouth. |
|
Playpens
|
Playpens or travel cribs have top rails that
will automatically lock when lifted into the normal use position.
|
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Playpen does NOT have a rotating hinge in the
center of the top rails.
|
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Drop-side mesh playpen or mesh crib has warning label about never leaving a side in the down position.
|
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| Playpen mesh has small weave (less than 1/4 inch
openings). |
|
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Mesh has no tears or loose threads.
|
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| Mesh is securely attached to top rail and
floorplate. |
|
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Wooden playpen has slats spaced no more than
2 3/8 inches (60 mm) apart.
|
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Rattles, squeeze toys, teethers
|
Rattles, squeeze toys, and teethers have
handles too large to lodge in a baby's throat.
|
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Squeeze toys do not contain a squeaker that
could detach and choke a baby.
|
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Avoid rattles with ball shaped ends.
|
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Strollers and carriages
| Stroller has wide base to prevent
tipping. |
|
| Seat belt and crotch strap are securely attached to
frame. |
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| Seat belt buckle is easy to use. |
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| Brakes securely lock the wheel(s). |
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| Shopping basket is low on the back and located directly over
or in front of the wheels. |
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| When used in carriage position, leg hole openings
can be closed. |
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Toy chests
| Toy chest has no latch to entrap child
within the chest. |
|
| Toy chest has spring-loaded lid support that will not require periodic adjustment and will
support the lid in any position to prevent lid slam. |
|
| Chest has ventilation holes or spaces in front or
sides, or under lid. |
|
Walkers
| Walker has safety features to help prevent
a fall down stairs. |
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Other Places To Get Help
Organization
|
U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission
|
| 4330 East West Highway |
| Bethesda, MD 20814 |
| Phone: |
1-800-638-2772 consumer hotline
(301) 504-7923 |
| TDD: |
(301) 595-7054 |
| Web Address: |
www.cpsc.gov |
| |
|
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is an
independent federal regulatory agency. CPSC seeks to protect consumers and families from dangerous products that can injure people, especially children. CPSC develops safety standards and informs the public about product hazards and recalls. You can call
their toll-free number or email them to report unsafe products.
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|
References
Other Works Consulted
-
Consumer Product Safety Commission (2009). The Safe Nursery: A Booklet to Help Avoid Injuries From Nursery Furniture and Equipment. Available online: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/chld_sfy.html.
Credits
|
By
|
Healthwise Staff |
|
Primary Medical Reviewer
|
Susan C. Kim, MD - Pediatrics |
|
Specialist Medical Reviewer
|
John Pope, MD - Pediatrics |
|
Last Revised
|
January 22, 2013 |
Last Revised:
January 22, 2013