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• Babies
• Crib Safety
• Health
• Safety
• Safety Products
• SIDS

Nothing is more precious - and vulnerable - than a baby in a crib. Take these vital steps, courtesy of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, to keep your little one safe.

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To reduce the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) and prevent suffocation of infants under 12 months of age:

• Place baby on his/her back in a crib with a firm, tight-fitting mattress.
• Do not put pillows, quilts, comforters, sheepskins, pillow-like bumper pads or pillow-like stuffed toys in the crib.
• Consider using a sleeper instead of a blanket.
• If you do use a blanket, place baby with feet to the foot of the crib. Tuck a thin blanket around the crib mattress, covering baby only as high as his/her chest.
• Use only a fitted bottom sheet specifically made for crib use.
  

Check Your Crib for Safety

There should be:

• A firm, tight-fitting mattress so a baby cannot get trapped between the mattress and the crib.
• No missing, loose, broken or improperly installed screws, brackets or other hardware on the crib or mattress support.
• No more than 2 3/8 inches (about the width of a soda can) between crib slats so a baby's body cannot fit through the slats; no missing or cracked slats.
• No corner posts over 1/16th inch high so a baby's clothing cannot catch.
• No cutouts in the headboard or foot board so a baby's head cannot get trapped.
  

Cribs that are incorrectly assembled, have missing, loose or broken hardware or broken slats can cause entrapment or suffocation deaths. Infants can become strangled when their head and neck become trapped in gaps created by missing, loose or broken hardware or broken slats.

For mesh-sided cribs or playpens, look for:

• Mesh less than 1/4 inch in size, smaller than the tiny buttons on a baby's clothing.
• Mesh with no tears, holes or loose threads that could entangle a baby.
• Mesh securely attached to top rail and floor plate.
• Top rail cover with no tears or holes.
• If staples are used, they are not missing, loose or exposed.
  

Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

About IEHA

The International Executive Housekeepers Association (IEHA) is a 3,200-plus member organization for housekeeping management. Executive housekeepers are managers that direct housekeeping programs in commercial, industrial or institutional facilities, including upscale hotels, hospitals, schools, and other public places. The non-profit was founded in 1930 in New York City, and is now located in Westerville, Ohio, a suburb of the state’s capitol.