Expecting a new baby is a time of excitement for new parents, but there are lots of preparations to make before the new arrival. One of the things you may be looking into is the purchase of a baby furniture crib. When making your purchase, make sure you keep safety first, and get the most for your money by choosing something that is affordable and durable.
In terms of crib safety, new safety requirements are being released almost daily. While this can be a little confusing, remember that this will ultimately help keep your baby safe.
Standard cribs usually feature an adjustable mattress height modification mechanism and one or two drop sides. The drop sides makes it easier for a grown adult to lift the baby out of the crib, and the mattress adjustment is necessary because as the child grows and can stand on the mattress there is a danger that the child may try to climb over the top of the crib which would lead to injury.
Convertible baby furniture cribs are becoming more popular, since they grow with your child. The crib converts to a toddler bed, and often to a full size bed as well. This can help your child adjust more easily to a larger bed, since the child will still be sleeping in a familiar environment. Portable cribs are another option, but parents should understand that portable cribs are not as heavily regulated as standard cribs.
Parents need to carefully look for any recalls from the Consumer Product Safety Commission that may include the crib they are considering. Often recalls are made if the space between the slats are too wide, as they should not be larger than the width of a standard soda can, 2 3/8 apart. Other problems may involve a strap system to hold the mattress that has been known to fail as opposed to a metal spring system.
Other reasons for recall include a mattress that does not fit properly, leaving a gap between the crib and the mattress where baby may become trapped. Incorrect, loose, or missing parts are also a major safety hazard. The most common reason for crib recalls is a failure of the drop side mechanism. For this reason, you should avoid buying used cribs unless you can locate the manufacturer name and product code, or you have the product booklet from the manufacturer. You will need this data to investigate whether that particular crib has been recalled.
When shopping for cribs, you may want to consider other designs. For example, a fold out design is a good alternative to the potentially dangerous drop side crib that poses a safety hazard for your baby. In fact, the CPSC may soon ban drop side cribs completely. The safety commission may also implement a rule that cribs must be lower to the floor to prevent serious injury to children who climb out of or fall from the crib. Whatever model you choose, always make sure to check with the CPSC for crib recalls.
The best strategy is to buy a baby furniture crib from a retailer who values your child’s safety and understands the latest safety regulations for baby cribs. Read advertisements and offers closely, and you’ll easily be able to spot safety conscious retailers.