Furniture accidents account for many preventable deaths in toddlers and babies. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, thousands of babies are seriously injured every year by cribs, dressers and other nursery furniture. To prevent furniture accidents in your own child's nursery, exercise caution when selecting and installing cribs and dressers. Consult your baby's pediatrician for additional safety guidelines.
Strangulation
The CPSC reports that corner posts on a crib can act as a catchpoint for strings, clothing and other objects that may strangle a baby. Modern cribs are designed to minimize this risk. However, if you are purchasing a used crib, be sure that the corner posts extend no more than 1/16 of an inch above the top of the end panel. Older, used cribs may also have wide slats in which the baby can entrap his head.
Suffocation Danger
Suffocation is a serious risk for children sleeping in cribs. The American Academy of Pediatrics urges parents to use tight-fitting crib sheets and to forgo the use of blankets, pillows, comforters or stuffed animals. Mattresses also pose a suffocation danger. If you can fit two fingers between the mattress and the side of the crib, your baby is at risk of becoming trapped in the crevice. According to renowned pediatrician Dr. William Sears, this risk is greatest for babies sleeping in used cribs, which may have mis-fitted mattresses.
Crib Bumper Risks
The CPSC recommends against the use of crib bumpers, which can protect the baby in the event a minor fall, but also pose several risks to the baby. Babies can also become entangled in the ties and may use crib bumpers to climb out of the crib.
Dresser Injury
The CPSC warns that dressers can fall over on babies and toddlers, leading to death or serious injury. If a drawer is not tightly closed and latched in place, the child may attempt to use it as a step. This may cause the dresser to tip over and crush the child. If possible, latch the low drawers, or use anchors to secure the dresser against a wall. Use similar precautions for bookshelves and nightstands, which can present similar dangers.
