Making Cribs and Beds Safe
by: Rachel Huertas
Hazards
- Infants can strangle to death if their bodies pass through gaps between loose components or broken slats while their heads.
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Never place a crib near a window with blind, curtain cords or baby monitor cords; babies can strangle on cords.
Measurements
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The space between two slats should be no more than 2 3/8 inches. Check slat stability as well to be sure that they will not break or become loose easily.
- Make sure there are no gaps larger than two fingers between the sides of the crib and the mattress.
When putting the crib together...
- When putting together your baby’s crib follow the instructions provided and make sure that every part is installed correctly. If you are not sure, call the manufacturer for assistance.
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Do not use cribs older than 10 years, broken or modified.
Something extra
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A crib railing just might become your baby's favorite teething toy. A quality teething guard on your crib rail will prevent your baby from swallowing paint or wood parts.