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Safety in the Nursery
By Jana Fuhrman
Infant
and juvenile bedding is a rapidly growing, successful facet of the juvenile
industry. What is more important than creating "the look" that the consumer
wants to achieve? Creating that look with the safety of children as priority
number one.
As we all know, babies do not come with instruction manuals
and safety switches, so it is up to parents and adults to create and maintain
safe environments. Nothing is more heart-wrenching than the injury or
death of an infant or child due to carelessness, poor planning or inattention
to detail. Most accidents can be prevented, and prevention begins in the
manufacturing of products.
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC),
there are currently NO federal laws regulating the manufacture of bedding
for children. However, some proposed standards are being considered for
adoption by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). (For
a complete listing of these proposed standards, contact JPMA or ASTM.)
So, for now, it is up to the manufacturers of infant and juvenile bedding
to voluntarily police the safety of their products.
. There are some obvious risks that have been in the news,
such as placing infants on top of or under soft, thick bedding that may
easily cover nose and mouth, potentially causing suffocation and death.
. Another obvious hazard is the use of pillows with sleeping
infants. Pillows should come manufactured with caution tags, reminding
consumers not to place the pillow in the area of a sleeping infant.
. Many other not-so-obvious hazards exist. Look at some
of today's trendy trims in children's bedding. Fuzzy pom-poms glued to
nursery items or dangling from receiving blankets and dust ruffles are
potential choking hazards. Buttons smaller than about 2.5" in diameter
can be pulled off and may lodge in a child's mouth or throat. Zippers,
used for decorative trim or function, have pull tabs that can be pulled
off the zipper, instantly becoming a choking hazard.
. When we think of strangulation hazards, we commonly picture
mini-blind pulls and bumper pad ties. Bumper pad ties should only be 7-9"
in length (the same length required for pacifier-to-clothing clips), and
should be sewn into the bumper pad as separate 7-9" long pieces at each
point.
The chance exists for ties to be pulled out of bumper pad seams. One long
14" tie folded in half, then sewn into the bumper pad can present a strangulation
hazard-2 separate, shorter ties, if pulled out, present no hazard. Bumper
pads should also have ties frequently spaced, top and bottom, all around
the bumper pad. This prevents children from pulling the bumper pad away
from the crib rails, and wedging themselves in between the pad and the
sides of the crib.
. Along these same lines, we must look at the materials
used in creating these ties. Who hasn't unraveled a satin ribbon? What
can a baby or child do with the long satin strand that results? What about
those cute draw string closures on decorative pillows, laundry bags and
toy bags? Strangulation potential. How are these products sewn together?
. Yes, nylon monofilament thread is inexpensive. It is also
quite durable. It is this strength that is frightening. Have you ever
tried to break a piece of fishing line with your hands? Imagine a young
one exploring the environment with curious fingers. A piece of this durable
thread gets wrapped around a finger or wrist. It only takes a few minutes
for enough oxygen deprivation to lead to limb loss.
. Many other hidden hazards exist; it is not possible to
name all of them here. It is important for consumers to use products for
the intended purpose and for retailers and manufacturers to provide continuing
education on product use and safety.
Use common sense and look with a discerning eye. When in
doubt, don't buy! Ask product manufacturers for their statements on safety
and for their reasons behind their safety decisions.
Jana Fuhrman is the co-owner of Beautiful Baby, a family-owned
bedding company in Longview, TX. |
