Nursery Equipment Safety Checklist

Topic Overview

The following safety guidelines are adapted from the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (USCPSC). They are for various equipment found in nurseries, both at home and in child care settings.

Back carriers

All back carriers should meet the following safety standards:	Check if meets standards
1. Carrier has restraining strap to secure child.
2. Leg openings are small enough to prevent child from slipping out.
3. Leg openings are large enough to prevent chafing.
4. Frames have no pinch points in the folding mechanism.
5. Carrier has padded covering over metal frame near baby's face.
Note: Do not use a back carrier until baby is 4 or 5 months old, when his or her neck is able to withstand jolts and not sustain an injury.

 

Bassinets and cradles

All bassinets and cradles should meet the following safety standards:	Check if meets standards
1. Bassinet/cradle has a sturdy bottom and a wide base for stability.
2. Bassinet/cradle has smooth surfaces—no protruding staples or other hardware that can injure the baby.
3. Legs have strong, effective locks to prevent folding while in use.
4. Mattress is firm and fits snugly.
Note: Follow manufacturer's guidelines on weight and size of baby who can safely use these products.

 

Baby bath rings or seats

All bath rings and seats should meet the following safety standards:	Check if meets standards
1. Suction cups are securely fastened to product.
2. Suction cups are securely attached to the smooth surface of tub.
3. Tub is filled only with enough water to cover baby's legs.
Note: Never leave a baby unattended or with a sibling in a tub of water. Do not rely on a bath ring to keep your baby safe.

 

Carrier seats

All carrier seats should meet the following safety standards:	Check if meets standards
1. Carrier seat has a wide, sturdy base for stability.
2. Carrier has nonskid feet to prevent slipping.
3. Supporting devices lock securely.
4. Carrier seat has crotch and waist strap.
5. Buckle or strap is easy to use.
Note: Never use the carrier as a car seat.

 

Changing tables

All changing tables should meet the following safety standards:	Check if meets standards
1. Table has safety straps to prevent falls.
2. Table has drawer or shelves that are easily accessible without leaving the baby unattended.
Note: Do not leave a baby on the table unattended. Always use the straps to prevent the baby from falling.

 

Cribs

All cribs should meet the following safety standards:	Check if meets standards
1. Slats are spaced no more than 2 3/8 inches (6 cm) apart.
2. No slats are missing or cracked.
3. Mattress fits snugly—less than two finger-widths between edge of mattress and crib side.
4. Mattress support is securely attached to the head and footboards.
5. Corner posts are no higher than 1/16 inch (1.5 mm) to prevent entanglement of clothing or other objects worn by child.
6. Head and footboards have no cutouts, which allow head entrapment.
7. Drop-side latches cannot be easily released by baby.
8. Drop-side latches securely hold sides in raised position.
9. All screws or bolts that secure components of crib are present and tight.
Note: Do not place crib near draperies or blinds where child could become entangled and strangle on the cords. When the child reaches 35 inches (90 cm) in height or can climb and/or fall over the sides, the crib should be replaced with a bed.

 

Crib toys

All crib toys should meet the following safety standards:	Check if meets standards
1. Toy has no looped strings.
2. No strings or cords longer than 7 inches (18 cm) should dangle into the crib.
3. Crib gym has a label warning to remove from crib when child can push up on hands and knees or reaches 5 months of age, whichever comes first.
4. Toy parts are not small enough to be a choking hazard.
Note: Avoid hanging toys across the crib or on crib corner posts with strings long enough to result in strangulation. Remove crib gyms when child is able to pull or push up on hands and knees.

 

Gates and enclosures

All gates and enclosures should meet the following safety standards:	Check if meets standards
1. Openings in gate are too small to entrap a child's head.
2. Gate has a pressure bar or other fastener that will resist forces exerted by a child.
Note: To avoid head entrapment, do not use accordion-style gates or expandable enclosures with large V-shaped openings along the top edge or diamond-shaped openings within.

 

High chairs

All high chairs should meet the following safety standards:	Check if meets standards
1. High chair has waist and crotch restraining straps that are independent of the tray.
2. Tray locks securely.
3. Buckle on waist strap is easy to use.
4. High chair has a wide, stable base.
5. Caps or plugs on tubing are firmly attached and cannot be pulled off and choke a child.
6. If it is a folding high chair, it has an effective locking device to keep the chair from collapsing.
Note: Always use restraining straps; otherwise, the child can slide under the tray and strangle.

 

Pacifiers

All pacifiers should meet the following safety standards:	Check if meets standards
1. No ribbon, string, cord, or yarn is attached to pacifier.
2. Shield is large enough and firm enough to not fit in child's mouth.
3. Guard or shield has ventilation holes so the baby can breathe if the shield does get into the mouth.
4. Pacifier nipple has no holes or tears that might cause it to break off in baby's mouth.
Note: To prevent strangulation, never hang a pacifier or other items on a string around a baby's neck.

 

Playpens

All playpens should meet the following safety standards:	Check if meets standards
1. Drop-side mesh playpen or crib has label warning never to leave side in the down position.
2. Mesh has small weave (less than 1/4 inch [7 mm] openings).
3. Mesh has no tears, holes, or loose threads.
4. Mesh is securely attached to top rail and floorplate.
5. Top rail cover has no tears or holes.
6. Wooden playpen has slats spaced no more than 2 inches (6 cm) apart.
7. If staples are used in construction, they are firmly installed and none are missing or loose.
Note: Never leave an infant in a mesh playpen or crib with the drop-side down. Even a very young infant can roll into the space between the mattress and loose mesh side and suffocate.

 

Rattles, squeeze toys, teethers

All rattles, squeeze toys, and teethers should meet the following safety standards:	Check if meets standards
1. Rattles, squeeze toys, and teethers are too large to lodge in a baby's throat.
2. Rattles are of sturdy construction that will not break apart in use.
3. Squeeze toys do not contain a squeaker that could detach and choke a baby.
Note: Take rattles, squeeze toys, teethers, and other toys out of the crib or playpen when the baby sleeps to prevent suffocation.

 

Strollers and carriages

All strollers and carriages should meet the following safety standards:	Check if meets standards
1. Stroller or carriage has a wide base to prevent tipping.
2. Seat belt and crotch strap are securely attached to frame.
3. Seat belt buckle is easy to use.
4. Brakes securely lock the wheel(s).
5. Shopping basket is low on the back and directly over or in front of rear wheels for stability.
6. When used in carriage position, leg hole openings can be closed.
Note: Always secure the seat belts. Never leave a child unattended in a stroller. Keep children's hands away from pinching areas when stroller is being folded or unfolded or the seat back is being reclined.

 

Toy chests

All toy chests should meet the following safety standards:	Check if meets standards
1. Chest has no lid latch, which could entrap child within the chest.
2. Hinged lid has a spring-loaded lid support that will support the lid in any position and will not require periodic adjustment.
3. Chest has ventilation holes or spaces in front or sides or under the lid, in case a child should get inside.
Note: If you already own a toy chest or trunk with a freely falling lid, remove the lid to avoid a head injury to a small child, or install a spring-loaded lid support.

 

Walkers

All walkers should meet the following safety standards:	Check if meets standards
1. Walker has a wide wheel base for stability.
2. Coil springs are covered to avoid finger pinching.
3. Seat is securely attached to frame or walker.
4. There are no X-frames that could pinch or amputate fingers.
Note: Place gates or guards at top of all stairways, or keep stairway doors closed to prevent falls. Do not use walkers as babysitters.

For more related information, see the USCPSC Web site (www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/200.html) or write for a free copy of The Safe Nursery: A Buyer's Guide, Office of Information and Public Affairs, Washington, DC, 20207.

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Author:	Debby Golonka, MPH	Last Updated March 13, 2007
Medical Review:	Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics Emmett Francoeur, MDCM, CSPQ, FRCPC - Pediatrics
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