A baby typically spends a great deal of time in his crib during the first several months of life. Whether you plan to have a new or used crib for your little one, make sure it has adequate safety features. Check the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC.gov) to be certain the crib you plan to purchase hasn't been the subject of a safety recall. A crib should be designed to keep your baby out of harm's way.
Safety Basics
The distance between slats (boards) must be no greater than 2 3/8 inches. This feature protects infants from falling out and keeps toddlers from lodging their heads between the slats. If a crib has corner posts, they must be either level with the top of the headboard and footboard, or over 16 inches in height. This will ensure there is no strangulation hazard. The crib also should be free of rough edges, peeling paint and cracked wood.
Side Rails
A safe crib should have adjustable side rails. The number-one feature in a safe crib is its reliable locking mechanism, according to KidsHealth.org. The side rails should have a minimum of two locking devices to ensure that older babies will not be able to release them. When lowered, the top of the side rail should be no less than 9 inches above the mattress support. When the side rail is fully raised, it should stand at 26 inches or more above the mattress support. This will help guard your baby against possible accidents as she gets older.
Correct Assembly
A crib is only as safe as the way it has been assembled. Many injuries associated with cribs are actually the result of faulty installation, according to ConsumerSearch.com. If you are not completely confident in your abilities, you may want to consider having your crib professionally assembled and installed.
Used Cribs
If you plan to purchase a used crib, keep in mind that government safety standards for cribs were upgraded in 1973. A crib made prior to this time may have too much space between slats, or your baby's head could get caught in large headboard or footboard cutouts. Also, any cribs manufactured prior to 1978 may have a lead finish.
