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Toddler Bed Safety
Author: Samantha Cummings
As a good parent, you will worry about whether or not your child is getting plenty of vitamins and nutrients. You’ll worry about keeping him free from sickness, and if he’ll have a good job when he grows up. When you put your toddler down for a nap, or for the night, you shouldn’t have to worry about whether or not he’s safe in his bed. Toddler bed safety is an important issue, and by understanding what criteria your child’s bed should meet, you can make sure he’s perfectly safe in dreamland.
Finishes – The first thing you’ll want to determine, before purchasing a toddler bed, is whether or not the finish is non-toxic and lead-free. This is especially important for those who will be reusing an older crib for their child, rather than purchasing a brand new one. You should be looking for a crib with a certification seal, verifying that it meets national safety standards. Finishes should be water-based stains or sealants, low VOC finishes, or beeswax.
Antique, or reused, cribs could contain lead-based paint, which wasn’t banned until 1978. Numerous problems have been linked to the accidental ingestion of lead-based paint, so it’s very important that the crib you get for your baby is lead-free.
Bars – The bars on your baby’s crib should be no farther than 2.375 inches apart. This will prevent your baby from getting any body part stuck between the bars.
Mattress – The mattress should fit snugly inside the crib. You shouldn’t be able to slide your hand easily into the space between the mattress and the crib; spaces this large could potentially trap the baby between the mattress and the crib, possibly resulting in injuries.
Sides – Many parents want a crib with sides that slide down for easier access. If you choose a crib with sides that slide, you should be sure to always raise the sides back after placing your baby into the crib. The actions of a tired parent, who forgets to raise the side, could result in injury to the baby if the baby tries to climb out, or is able to pull himself up and tumble out of the crib.
Cutouts and Posts – There should be no cutouts in the headboard or footboard of the crib, as these could lead to potential injury. A baby’s head, fingers, or other body parts could get caught in the cutouts. The corner posts should be no higher than 1/16 of an inch above the side rails. If they are, your baby’s clothing could get caught on the posts and potentially lead to injury.
Placement – Some parents place their cribs against the wall while others have the crib in the middle of the room. Regardless of placement, the crib should never be near blinds with pull-down cords, lamps, or other electrical devices with cords. Cords in reach of the baby could result in injury or strangulation.
In addition to these tips, you should be sure there are no fluffy pillows, hardware that isn’t hidden, or bumpers with strings that the baby can get to. Limit the blankets that are in the crib, because too many blankets, or blankets that are too large/thick, could result in suffocation. When your crib meets all of these standards, you can sleep peacefully at night, and know that your little one is too!
