RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CRIB SAFETY

If you answer “yes” to any one of the following questions, your baby’s crib is unsafe in its present condition. A. Mattress

1. Size: Is there a space greater than 1 inch between the mattress and the crib’s 
sides or ends?
2. Support: Does the mattress sag in any spot when the baby lies on it? 
Check both the middle and the edges.
3. Can the plastic cover be removed?

B. Crib sides and ends

1. Are there any splits, cracks, or old paint visible?
2. Can the rails be pulled out, away from the side of the crib?
3. Are the spaces between the slats more than 6 cm (2 3/8 inches)?
4. Can the rails fall down accidentally? Shake them and apply pressure to the top.
5. When the mattress is in the lowest position, and the rails are up, is there less than 66 cm (26 inches) between the height of the mattress and the height of the rails?

C. Accessories

Are there any rope or string-like objects in the crib, used either as toys or for repairs such as cradle-gym, a pacifier hung around the baby’s neck, or medals on chains?

D. Positioning Is the crib positioned beside any other furniture such as chair, bureau, radiator, or another bed that the baby could use to climb out?

Recommendations for the Care of an Infant in a Crib

1. The infant should never be left alone when the side rails are down.
2. The mattress should be lowered before the baby can sit unassisted. It should be set 
at its lowest position as soon as the baby can stand.
3. No toys or other articles should be left in the crib that can be used as a step for 
climbing out.
4. The infant should no longer use the crib once the height of the side rail is less than 
3/4 of the child’s height.
5. The crib should be placed away from windows, and from other furniture that could 
be used to climb out.
6. Pull carts should not be near the crib.