ChurchSafety

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Churches and daycare centers that use drop-side cribs are being encouraged to replace them by December 2012, when new federal safety standards take effect. Detaching rails have been associated with at least 32 suffocation and strangulation deaths since 2000. Faulty or defective hardware have led to other deaths and injuries, prompting the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to pass stricter mandatory standards for cribs. After June 28, 2011, all baby cribs manufactured, sold, or resold in the U.S. must have fixed sides, sturdier slats, and stronger hardware and supports.

Childcare facilities, including family childcare homes and infant Head Start centers, are required to use cribs compliant with the new standards starting December 28, 2012. Places of public accommodation, such as hotels and motels, also must comply. The law doesn't apply to churches that provide volunteer-staffed nurseries during church services.

The new standards:

• Prohibit the use of drop-side cribs in which the entire side rail moves up and down.
• Change side rail height and toe hold standards.
• Require better labeling and instructions to minimize potential assembly mistakes.
• Increase slat strength.
• Increase mattress support strength.
• Eliminate wood screws from key structural elements.

You can find more information on crib safety and the new standards at the CPSC's crib information center: www.cpsc.gov/info/cribs/index.html

While the law doesn't require church nurseries to use compliant cribs, it's a good idea to consider it. Cribs that do not meet the new standards—even those in good condition—may pose a danger to children and leave a church open to liability.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has recalled more than 11 million cribs since 2007, some of them that linked to deaths due to faulty or defective hardware. Visit www.cpsc.gov/cgi-bin/cribs.aspx to view a list of recalled cribs and determine if any cribs used by your church have been recalled. Some manufacturers of recalled cribs will provide immobilizers to secure the drop-side on cribs.

Be aware that installing an immobilizer won't bring your crib up to the new standards. The new standards require stronger hardware and rigorous testing to prove a crib's durability. If you continue to use your current crib, you are encouraged to check the crib frequently to make sure that all hardware is secured tightly and that there are no loose, missing, or broken parts.

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