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From the beginning of a child's life, products such as
cribs, high chairs, and other equipment must be selected with safety in mind.
Care providers need to be aware of the many potential hazards occurring through
misuse of products or with products that have not been well designed for use by
children.
Cribs
 | Slats not spaced more than 2-3/8 inches apart, and not
loose, cracked, or missing Mattress
fits crib snugly |
| No pillows, bumpers, or fluffy comforters or objects in
crib |
| All bolts, screws, and other hardware present and tightly
attached to crib |
| Drop-side latches securely hold the side of crib in raised
position |
| No cutouts in the headboard or footboard of crib |
| Corner posts no more than 1/16 inch higher than top rail
edges |
| Babies put to sleep on their backs, not on their stomachs
(to help prevent SIDS) |
Crib Toys
| No strings or cords dangling into the crib; crib gyms or
mobiles removed when children can push up on hands and knees or when children
are five months old |
| All parts of toys are too large to be a choking hazard. |
High Chairs
| Crotch strap keeps children from sliding out of chair;
restraining straps are independent from tray |
| Tray locks securely |
| Buckles on straps easy to fasten and unfasten |
| A wide base for stability |
| Caps or plugs on ends of tubing firmly attached to chair |
Playpens
| The top rails lock automatically in the normal use position |
| No rotating hinge in the center of the top rails |
| Mesh playpen or crib with drop-side should never be left
with the side down (suffocation hazard); mesh weave should be no more than ¼
inch, with no loose threads or tears, and is securely attached to frame, top
rail, and floorplate |
Rattles, Squeeze Toys, and Teethers
| Teething devices securely molded out of one piece of hard
rubber or medium plastic, with no smaller pieces that can be dislodged and choke
child |
| Handles too large to become lodged in baby's throat |
| Teething toys checked regularly and replaced if showing
signs of disintegration |
| No detachable squeakers in squeeze toys (choking hazard) |
Changing tables
| Safety straps to prevent baby from falling (but always keep
your hand on baby) |
| Shelves or drawers easily accessible so that baby not left
unattended |
| One hand kept on child on a high surface |
Hook-on Chairs
| Safety strap to secure child |
| Clamp that locks onto table for added security |
| Caps or plugs on ends of tubing firmly attached (choking
hazard) |
| Chair never placed where child can push off with feet |
Pacifiers
| No yarn, ribbon, or string attached (strangulation hazard) |
| Shield large enough so that it cannot fit into baby's mouth |
| Shield has ventilation holes so that baby can breathe if
the shield does go into the mouth |
| Nipple free of holes or tears that could cause it to break
off in baby's mouth (choking hazard) |
Strollers and carriages
| Wide base for stability |
| Seat belt and crotch strap attached securely to frame |
| Seat belt buckle easy to use |
| Brakes firmly lock wheels |
| Extra baskets or pockets are low on the back and located
directly over or in front of rear wheels |
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