Baby Crib Safety Standards
It’s been said that not all cribs are alike. Despite the homogenous nature of this product, seemingly minor differences one brand has from other brands can add up to a safer crib. An example can be a comparison between the Babyletto Harlow 3-in-1 and the Sorelle Prescott Convertible 4-in-1.
The Sorelle Prescott 4-in-1 has a four-position mattress support for the crib, to allow for readjustment of the mattress level as the child grows. Its dimensions are 54 by 33.4 by 41.4 inches. The Sorelle Prescott morphs into a transitional bed, then later into a child’s day bed, and eventually into a full size bed. For convenience, the tools required for assembly are included when the product is purchased, and there is a five-year limited warranty.
However, despite its fixed sides this crib has a recall history.
In September 2010 the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced a recall of 130 Sorelle Prescott cribs due to the dangers from entrapment, suffocation and falling. The cribs were relabeled Simplicity brand units which contained tubular metal mattress support frames, which had previously been recalled in April of that same year. The mattress support frames were prone to bending or detaching, causing part of the mattress to fall and create a space just large enough to allow an infant or toddler to roll into and become wedged in.
There were 29 incidents and one death reported. The cribs were manufactured in China, where safety standards differ from federal standards in the U.S. The manufacturer, Simplicity Inc., is no longer in business.
A safer alternative is the Babyletto Harlow 3-in-1 crib.
The Babyletto Harlow has a metal mattress support that can be adjusted to four levels, and a toddler guard rail kit to convert the crib to a toddler bed when needed. The bed is lead-free and phthalate safe and has a one-year manufacturer’s warranty. It is constructed from New Zealand Pine wood, and its dimensions are 53.5 by 30 by 34.5 inches. But most importantly, it meets all U.S. safety standards and is certified by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA).
The JPMA is a national trade organization representing 95 percent of the prenatal/preschool industry. The organization monitors the juvenile products industry and works with government officials, consumer groups and industry leaders to educate consumers and promote safe children’s products. Other groups monitoring cribs for safety include the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and the CPSC.
| Valerie Baldowski is passionate about writing about everything from childrens safety and juvenile products to gardening tools. She is the mother of a high energy 8 year old child so she is accustomed to researching childrens products and services… See more about Valerie |
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