New crib standards from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) prohibit the manufacture and sale of dangerous, traditional drop-side cribs. They also require importers, distributors, manufacturers, and retailers to offer only cribs that meet new mandatory rules, including:
- Strengthening mattress supports and crib slats
- Requiring crib hardware to be more durable
- Making safety testing more rigorous
In a June 28 press release, the CPSC reported that it had recalled more than 11 million dangerous cribs since 2007. Drop-side cribs with detaching side rails were associated with at least 32 infant suffocation and strangulation deaths since 2000. The CPSC said the new standards aim to prevent these tragedies and keep children safer in their cribs.
Starting on December 28, 2012, child care facilities, including family child care homes and infant Head Start centers, as well as places of public accommodation, such as hotels and motels, and rental companies must use only cribs that comply with the new crib standards.
Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Links:
Check safety recalls of consumer products and toys - Consumer Product Safety Commission
File a consumer complaint - Ohio Attorney General’s Office
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