Nursery Equipment Safety Checklist

Topic Overview

The following safety guidelines are adapted from the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). They are for various equipment found in nurseries, both at home and in child care settings. For more information, see the Consumer Product Safety Commission

Back carriers

All back carriers should meet the following safety standards:	Check if meets standards
Leg openings are small enough to prevent a child from slipping out.
Leg openings are large enough to prevent chafing.
Frames have no pinch points in the folding mechanism.
Carrier has padded covering over metal frame near baby's face.
Note: Do not use a framed back carrier until the baby is 4 or 5 months old, when his or her neck is able to withstand jolts and not sustain an injury.

Bassinets and cradles

All bassinets and cradles should meet the following safety standards:	Check if meets standards
Bassinet/cradle has a sturdy bottom and a wide base for stability.
Bassinet/cradle has smooth surfaces—no protruding staples or other hardware that could injure the baby.
Legs have strong, effective locks to prevent folding while in use.
Mattress is firm and fits snugly.
Wood or metal cradles have slats spaced no more than 2 3/8 inches (60 mm) apart.
Note: Follow the manufacturer's guidelines on weight and size of baby who can safely use these products. Do not use sleep positioners.

Carrier seats

All carrier seats should meet the following safety standards:	Check if meets standards
Carrier seat has a wide, sturdy base for stability.
Carrier has nonskid feet to prevent slipping.
Supporting devices lock securely.
Carrier seat has crotch and waist strap.
Buckle or strap is easy to use.
Note: Never use the carrier as a car seat unless it is labeled for that purpose.

Changing tables

All changing tables should meet the following safety standards:	Check if meets standards
Table has safety straps to prevent falls.
Table has drawer or shelves that are easily accessible without leaving the baby unattended.
Note: Do not leave a baby on the table unattended. Always use the straps to prevent the baby from falling.

Cribs

All cribs should meet the following safety standards:	Check if meets standards
Slats are spaced no more than 2 3/8 inches (60 mm) apart.
No slats are missing, loose, or cracked.
Mattress fits snugly—no more than two finger-widths between edge of mattress and crib side.
Mattress support is securely attached to the headboard and footboard.
Corner posts are no higher than 1/16 inch (1.5 mm).
Top edges of headboard and footboard have no cutouts.
All screws, bolts, and other hardware are present and tight.
Note: Don't use sleep positioners or crib bumpers. Don't place the crib near draperies or blinds. A child can get strangled by window cords or fall through a screen. When the child reaches 35 inches (90 cm) in height, he or she has outgrown the crib and should sleep in a bed. Movable side rails are a safety hazard, and new cribs are no longer made with them. If your crib has the kind of side rail that can be raised and lowered, always raise it and secure it properly when your child is in the crib.

Crib toys

All crib toys should meet the following safety standards:	Check if meets standards
No strings or cords should dangle into the crib.
Crib gym or mobile has a label warning to remove from crib when the child can push up on hands and knees or reaches 5 months of age, whichever comes first.
Toy parts are too large to be a choking hazard.
No soft toys or stuffed animals are in the crib when you put your baby to sleep.
Note: Avoid hanging toys across the crib or on crib corner posts with strings long enough to result in strangulation. Remove crib gyms when the child is able to pull or push up on hands and knees.

Gates and enclosures

All gates and enclosures should meet the following safety standards:	Check if meets standards
Openings in gate are too small to entrap a child's head or neck.
Gate has a pressure bar or other fastener that will resist forces exerted by a child.
Note: Hazardous accordion-style gates with large V-shaped or diamond-shaped openings aren't made anymore. But they may be sold at yard sales or thrift stores. Do not use them.

High chairs

All high chairs should meet the following safety standards:	Check if meets standards
There is a crotch strap that can restrain a child in a high chair.
High chair has restraining straps that are independent of the tray.
Tray locks securely.
Buckles on straps are easy to fasten and unfasten.
High chair has a wide base for stability.
Caps or plugs on tubing are firmly attached and cannot be pulled off and choke a child.
Folding high chairs have an effective locking device.
Note: The feeding tray is not a restraint. Only safety straps keep the child from climbing out of the high chair or sliding down and strangling.

Pacifiers

All pacifiers should meet the following safety standards:	Check if meets standards
No ribbon, string, cord, or yarn is attached to pacifier.
Shield is large enough and firm enough to not fit in the child's mouth.
Guard or shield has ventilation holes so the baby can breathe if the shield does get into the mouth.
Pacifier nipple has no holes or tears that might cause it to break off in baby's mouth.
Note: Never hang anything around your baby's neck.

Playpens

All playpens should meet the following safety standards:	Check if meets standards
Playpens or travel cribs have top rails that will automatically lock when lifted into the normal use position.
Playpen does not have a rotating hinge in the center of the top rails.
Drop-side mesh playpen or mesh crib has label warning never to leave a side in the down position.
Mesh has small weave (less than 1/4 inch [7 mm] openings).
Mesh has no tears or loose threads.
Mesh is securely attached to top rail and floorplate.
Wooden playpen has slats spaced no more than 2 3/8 inches (60 mm) apart.
Note: Never leave an infant in a mesh playpen or crib with the drop-side down. Infants can roll into the space between the mattress and loose mesh side and suffocate.

Rattles, squeeze toys, teethers

All rattles, squeeze toys, and teethers should meet the following safety standards:	Check if meets standards
Rattles, squeeze toys, and teethers have handles too large to lodge in a baby's throat.
Squeeze toys do not contain a squeaker that could detach and choke a baby.
Rattles should not have ends shaped like a ball.
Note: To prevent suffocation, take rattles, squeeze toys, teethers, and other toys out of the crib or playpen when the baby sleeps.

Strollers and carriages

All strollers and carriages should meet the following safety standards:	Check if meets standards
Stroller or carriage has a wide base to prevent tipping.
Seat belt and crotch strap are securely attached to frame.
Seat belt buckle is easy to use.
Brakes securely lock the wheel(s).
Shopping basket is low on the back and directly over or in front of the rear wheels for stability.
When used in carriage position, leg hole openings can be closed.
Note: Always secure the seat belts. Never leave a child unattended in a stroller. Close the opening between the handrest (grab bar) and seat when using a stroller in the reclined-carriage position. When folding or unfolding a stroller, keep your child away from it.

Toy chests

All toy chests should meet the following safety standards:	Check if meets standards
Chest has no lid latch, which could entrap a child within the chest.
Hinged lid has a spring-loaded lid support that will support the lid in any position and will not require periodic adjustment.
Chest has ventilation holes or spaces in front or sides or under the lid, in case a child should get inside.
Note: If you already own a toy chest or trunk with a freely falling lid, remove the lid to avoid a head injury to a small child, or install a spring-loaded lid support.