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SALT LAKE CITY — New standards went into effect Tuesday that could keep thousands of babies in Utah safer. Here's what the rules mean for families that have a baby crib in their homes.
Rebecca Black is a mom to 10-month-old Griffin. While she strives to make the world as safe as she can for him, one of the biggest dangers is right at home.
"Over the past several years we've had numerous fatalities from children getting their head stuck between the crib rail, as it drops, and the mattress," said Jane Brooks, child advocacy manager at Primary Children's Medical Center.
In 2009, nearly 15,000 children were injured in a crib; more than 100 of them died. Now rigorous testing and mandatory safety features aim to prevent such tragedies.
"It's the strongest crib safety standards in the world today now," Brooks said.
Starting Tuesday, it is illegal for any retailer or any private individual to sell a crib that doesn't meet certain criteria. Cribs must have: no drop-down sides, strengthened crib slats, strengthened mattress support, anti-loosening devices
- Place baby on his/her back in a crib with a firm, tight-fitting mattress.
- Do not put pillows, quilts, comforters, sheepskins, pillow-like bumper pads or pillow-like stuffed toys in the crib.
- Consider using a sleeper instead of a blanket.
- If you do use a blanket, place baby with feet to the fott of the crib. Tuck a thin blanket around the crib mattress, covering baby only as high as his/her chest.
- Use only a fitted bottom sheet made specifically for crib use.
We brought Brooks to test out Griffin's crib and found out it's not safe.
"When you hear that there have actually been deaths from cribs such as this, it really strikes a chord, and it hits home, and it makes me want to go out and buy a new crib and make sure I have the best for my baby," Rebecca said.
Safety experts advise parents to be on the lookout for used cribs. On KSL Classifieds we found more than then 800 cribs currently for sale. We counted 20 on the first couple of pages with drop-down sides.
"There must be a safer option out there," Rebecca said.
If you were to go out and buy a crib today, legally it has to meet the standard. But for those who already have a crib at home, Brooks says the best thing to do is contact its manufacturer to see if there is a problem."Make arrangements to receive the additional part that goes on your crib that will immobilize the side rail," she said.
"If this one is not going to do the job, then it's time for a new crib," Rebecca said.
Written by KSL News producer Ashley Kewish with contributions from Nadine Wimmer.
