Crib Safety: A checklist to know if your traditional crib is safe

 

Cribs can be expensive, so many babies sleep in cribs bought at a yard sale or handed down from a family member. Unfortunately, older cribs are often unsafe. If you got your crib second-hand, it’s important to make sure it meets current safety standards: 

  • SLAT SPACING - A crib's slats and corner posts should be no more than 2 3/8 inches apart. If the slats are farther apart, your baby could become trapped in them. Cribs with decorative cutouts can also pose a trapping threat. 
  • CORNER POSTS - Corner posts should be flat and meet up with the end panels. If you’re using an heirloom crib that has decorative knobs, you can saw them off and sand down rough edges. 
  • BOLTS AND SCREWS - All hardware, like bolts and screws, must be tight and secure. The wood should be free of cracks. Also, be sure there are no rough or sharp spots that could poke or pinch your baby. 
  • DROP-SIDE - Drop-side cribs are not considered safe and shouldn’t be used. 
  • PAINT - Older cribs may contain lead-based paint. If you think the crib you are using was made before 1978, it’s safest to remove the paint and re-paint it with lead-free enamel. Any crib with peeling or cracked paint should be repainted, even if the original paint is lead-free. 
  • MATTRESS - The mattress should be firm and fit snugly against the inside of the crib, with room for no more than two adult-sized fingers between the crib and mattress. A mattress for a full-sized crib should be at least 27 1/4 inches by 51 3/8 inches, but no more than six inches thick. If you buy a new mattress, remove the plastic cover! 
  • EMPTY CRIB - The crib should hold only 2 things: a tight-fitting sheet and your baby. Never put your baby to bed with blankets, pillows, stuffed animals, pets, or toys. 

If you find that your baby’s crib isn’t safe and you can’t make it safer by re-painting or tightening hardware, you should get your baby another crib right away. 

Tip

If you can’t afford a new crib, contact your local health department or visit Cribs for Kids to see if you qualify to receive a free, safe, portable crib. [This will open in a new tab, make sure to return to the lesson.]