(BPT) - Any parent or caregiver knows that there is an endless variety of baby products. However, when choosing a safe space for the baby to sleep, many people are unaware that some of these products can be dangerous, or even deadly, for the little ones.
The most recent US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) report on injuries and deaths linked to infant products shows that cribs, mattresses, playpens, bassinets/cribs , infant carriers, strollers, and inclined infant sleep products were associated with 83% of reported deaths. The majority of these infant product-related deaths are due to suffocation caused by the baby's sleeping area being cluttered or unsafe. Often the sleeping area is filled with extra bedding such as pillows, sheets, comforters, and stuffed toys.
In a new video, CPSC encourages parents, caregivers and daycare staff to "go back to basics" to create a safe sleep environment for babies. Child safety is important all year long, not just during September, Baby Safety Month. CPSC encourages everyone to take five simple steps to reduce child injuries and deaths linked to children's products and other hazards in the home.
1. “Back to sleep” means placing babies on their backs.
At bedtime, adults should always place babies on their backs to reduce the risk of suffocation and cot death, also called Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Babies should not sleep in infant products that are not specially designed for sleep or do not comply with applicable regulations, such as reclined sleep products, travel and compact bassinets, and those intended for sleeping in adult beds , such as co-sleeping cribs, which have been linked to dozens of child deaths.
In June 2021, the CPSC approved a new, stricter rule requiring manufacturers to comply with a federal safety standard for children's sleep products. Beginning in mid-2022, this new rule will help remove potentially hazardous products from the marketplace that do not currently meet CPSC regulations for such items.
2. “Not much is better” means placing babies in a safe place to sleep (crib, bassinet, playpen, or co-sleeping cot) with only a fitted sheet.
Always keep the place where the baby sleeps clear, using only a fitted sheet. Don't use pillows, bumper pads, extra bedding, stuffed toys, quilts, or comforters in a baby's crib. CPSC revealed that from 2015 to 2017, most of the 113 deaths associated with cribs and mattresses were due to the place where the baby slept being overloaded with items, causing suffocation.
If the baby is going to sleep in a playpen or play area, the principle of "not much is better" also applies. Never use mattresses that are not specifically made for that location, and never use adult pillows or sofa cushions in the area where the baby sleeps.
3. Once you've created a safe sleeping space, use it.
If the baby falls asleep in a swing, bouncer, baby seat, or similar product, transfer the baby to a sleeping product or environment. Keep in mind the principles of “not much is better” and “on your back when sleeping”, and avoid other hazards that may be present, such as blind or drapery cords, which could cause accidental strangulation.
4. Bath time should be safe and fun.
For bath time, the water temperature should be between 90 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit. To avoid burns, adults should check the water temperature with their elbow or a thermometer.
Never leave a baby or child alone while filling the bathtub, and drain it immediately after bathing. Babies can drown in as little as an inch of water, so it is important that an adult always supervises a child when they are in or near water, and never rely on older children to watch them.
Some parents may believe that baby bath products will prevent a baby from drowning, but such products should never be a substitute for supervision. They are only products to assist at bath time, not safety devices.
5. Prevent poisoning and other hazards in the home.
In 2019, approximately 67,500 children under the age of five were treated in emergency rooms due to unintentional poisoning. The vast majority of incidents (85 percent) occurred in the home. To reduce the risk of poisoning, store all medicines and household cleaning products safely and out of the reach of children. Parents and caregivers should also be careful around small toys and coin-sized button cell batteries, and always keep them out of the reach of babies.
“Back to basics” is a safety message for the whole family. By reviewing these safety steps, everyone involved in your child's care—from new parents to experienced caregivers—will be able to enjoy even more of the great moments of childhood life, like the eruption of a first tooth, or a first giggle.
For more information, visit CPSC's Baby and Child Safety Information Center here, and sign up to receive product recall alerts and other safety updates. If consumers believe a product is potentially unsafe for babies or any other family member, CPSC encourages them to report it in Spanish at 800-638-2772 or by visiting SaferProducts.gov.
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