Crib Safety Tips

Bringing home a new baby is an exciting time for parents and families. Plan ahead and prepare the home and nursery before your baby arrives. Your little one will spend a lot of time sleeping, so let's start there to make your home a safe place for baby.

• Find out if your crib, especially if it is an older model, has been recalled. Visit the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) website at www.cpsc.gov for recent updates.

• Make sure crib hardware is strong and secure.

• A safe crib has nothing in it but your baby. Take out any soft bedding, pillows, toys and stuffed animals from the crib.

• Use sleepers instead of blankets. Blankets can cover the babies face and make it hard for her to breathe.

• If you have a toy that attaches to crib railings, hang it on the wall side of the crib.

• Make sure the crib sheet and mattress fit tightly to avoid entrapment and suffocation.

• Take out bumper pads. This will help keep your child from climbing out easily.

• Keep cribs away from windows and window blind cords.

• For metal or wooden cribs, make sure slats are 2 3/8 inches apart or less. Corner posts should not be over 1/16 inch high. Avoid headboards and footboards with cutouts large enough that a baby's head can become trapped.

• For mesh-sided cribs or playpens look for mesh less than ¼ inch in size. Be sure that the mesh is securely attached to the top rail and floor plate. If staples are used to secure mesh, make sure none are missing or exposed.