U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Nursery Checklist

REPORT A PRODUCT HAZARD OR A PRODUCT- RELATED INJURY
Call the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission at CONSUMER HOTLINE (800) 638-2772

NURSERY EQUIPMENT SAFETY CHECKLIST
by U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Please print and use this checklist to review the safety features of your baby's furniture and equipment.

BACK CARRIERS
_____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.

(CPSC recommends that you not use back carriers until baby is 4 or 5 months old. By then baby's neck is able to withstand jolts and not sustain injury.)

BASSINETS AND CRADLES
_____ 1. Bassinet/Cradle has a sturdy bottom and wide base for stability.
_____ 2. Bassinet/Cradle has smooth surfaces - no protruding staples or other hardware that may cause injury.
_____ 3. Legs have strong, effective locks to prevent folding while in use.
_____ 4. Mattress is firm and fits snugly.

(CPSC recommends following manufacturer's guidelines on weight and size of baby who can safely use these products.)

BABY BATH RINGS OR SEATS
_____ 1. Suction cups securely fastened to product.
_____ 2. Suction cups securely attached to smooth surface of tub.
_____ 3. Tub filled only with enough water to cover baby's leg.
_____ 4. NEVER leave baby alone or with a sibling while in bath ring!

CARRIER SEATS
_____ 1. Carrier base 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.

(CPSC recommends never using the carrier as a car seat.)

CHANGING TABLES
_____ 1. Table has safety straps to prevent falls.
_____ 2. Table has drawer or shelves that are easily accessible without leaving the baby unattended.

(CPSC recommends never leaving the baby unattended. Always use straps to prevent the baby from falling.)

CRIBS
_____ 1. Slats are spaced no more than two inches (60 mm) apart.
_____ 2. No slats are missing or cracked.
_____ 3. Mattress fits snugly--less than two fingers width between edge or mattress and crib side.
_____ 4. Mattress support is securely attached to the head and footboards.
_____ 5. Corner posts are no higher than 1/16th inch to prevent entanglement of clothing or other objects worn by a child.
_____ 6. No cutouts in the head or footboards 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 which secure components of crib are present and tight.

(CPSC recommends that you do not place a crib near draperies or blinds where a child could become entangled and strangle on the cords. When the child reaches 35 inches in height or can climb and/or fall over the sides, the crib should be replaced with a bed.)

CRIB TOYS
_____ 1. No strings with loops or openings having perimeters greater than 14 inches (356 mm.)
_____ 2. No strings or cords longer than 7 inches (178 mm) should dangle into the crib.
_____ 3. Crib gym has 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. Components of toys are not small enough to be a choking hazard.

(CPSC recommends that you 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
_____ 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.

(CPSC recommends that you do not use accordian-style gates or expandable enclosures with large V-shaped openings along the top edge, or diamond-shaped openings within, to avoid head entrapment.)

HIGH CHAIRS
_____ 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.

(CPSC recommends that restraining straps always be used, to prevent the child from sliding under the tray and strangling.)

HOOK-ON CHAIRS
_____ 1. Chair has a restraining strap to secure the child.
_____ 2. Chair has a clamp that locks onto the table for added security.
_____ 3. Caps or plugs on tubing are firmly attached and cannot be pulled off and choke a child.
_____ 4. Hook-on chair has a warning to never place the chair where the child can push off with it's feet.

(CPSC recommends that you not leave a child unattended in a hook-on seat.)

PACIFIERS
_____ 1. No ribbon, string, cord or yarn attached to the pacifier.
_____ 2. Shield is large enough and firm enough to not fit in the 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.

(CPSC recommends never hanging pacifier or other items on a string around a baby's neck, as it poses a strangulation hazard.)

PLAYPENS
____ 1. Drop-side mesh playpen or crib has label warning never to leave side in the down position.)
_____ 2. Mesh has small weave.
_____ 3. Mesh has no tears, holes or loose threads.
_____ 4. Mesh is securely attached to the top rail and floor plate.
_____ 5. Top rail cover has no tears or holes.
_____ 6. Wooden playpen has slats spaced no more than 2 inches (60mm) apart.
_____ 7. If staples are used in construction, they are firmly installed and none are loose or missing.

(CPSC recommends that you never leave an infant in a mesh playpen or crib with the Drop-side down. Even a very young child can roll into the space between the mattress and loose mesh side and suffocate.)

RATTLES, SQUEEZE TOYS, TEETHERS
_____ 1. Rattles, squeeze toys and teethers are too large to lodge in the 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.

(CPSC recommends that rattles, squeeze toys, teethers and other toys be removed from the crib or play pen when the baby sleeps to prevent suffocation. Editors Note: Examine seams on hard plastic rattles to make sure that no gaps exist which could be sharp edges to tender gums.)

STROLLERS & CARRIAGES
_____ 1. Wide base to prevent tipping.
_____ 2. Seat belt and crotch strap 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 hold openings can be closed.

(CPSC recommends that the seat belts always be secured. 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
_____ 1. 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 should a child get inside.

(If you already own a toy chest or trunk with a free falling lid, CPSC recommends that the lid be removed to avoid a head injury to a small child, or install a spring-loaded lid support.)

WALKERS
_____ 1. Wide wheel base for stability.
_____ 2. Covers over coil springs to avoid finger pinching.
_____ 3. Seat is securely attached to frame or walker.
_____ 4. No X-frames that could pinch or amputate fingers.

(CPSC recommends that gates or guards be installed at the top of all stairways, or that stairway doors be closed to prevent falls. Do not use a walker as a baby sitter.)

YOUR USED CRIB COULD BE DEADLY - Safety Alert

A safe crib is the best place to put your baby to sleep! Look for a crib with a certification seal showing that it meets national safety standards.
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Guidelines for a Safe Crib:

• No missing, loose, broken, or improperly installed screws, brackets, or other hardware on the crib or mattress support.
• No more tan 2 3/8 inches between crib slats so a baby's body cannot fit through the slats.
• A firm, snug-fitting mattress so a baby cannot get trapped between the mattress and the side of the crib.
• No corner posts over 1/16 of an inch above the end panels (unless they are over 16 inches high for a canopy) so a baby can't catch clothing and strangle.
• No cut out areas on the headboard or footboard so a baby's head cannot get trapped.
• A mattress support that does not easily pull apart from the corner posts, so a baby cannot get trapped between the mattress and crib.
• No cracked or peeling paint to prevent lead poisoning.
• No splinters or rough edges.

If a crib does not meet these guidelines, destroy it and replace it with a safe crib. Resist the urge to donate the unsafe crib to a charity.
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For further information, write: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Washington, D.C. 20207 The US Consumer Product Safety Commission protects the public from the unreasonable risk of injury or death from 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, you can go to CPSC's forms page and use the first on-line form on that page. Or, you can call CPSC's hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC's teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270, or send the information to info@cpsc.gov. Consumers can obtain this publication and additional publication information from the Publications section of CPSC's web site or by sending your publication request to publications@cpsc.gov. If you would like to receive CPSC's recall notices, subscribing to the email list will send all press releases to you the day they are issued.