November 5, 2010

New Consumer Product Safety Commission Crib Safety Campaign

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has recently released a crib safety video as part of its new outreach program. The program attempts to inform new parents of the risks associated with infants’ sleep environment.

In order to create a safe sleep environment for infants, the video suggests:

• Placing infants to sleep on their backs

• Using a firm, tight-fitting mattress

• Never using extra padding, blankets, or pillows under baby

• Removing pillows or thick comforters

• Not using positioning devices

• Regularly checking cribs for loose, missing, or broken parts or slats

• Not trying to fix a broken crib

• Placing cribs and playpens away from windows and window covering cords to avoid fall and strangulation hazards

• Placing baby monitor cords away from cribs or playpens to avoid strangulation

For more information, check Connecticut's Department of Consumer Protection.