U.S. Consumer Product

Safety Commission

Washington, DC 20207

A booklet to help avoid

injuries from nursery

furniture and equipment

A booklet to help avoid

injuries from nursery

furniture and equipment

The Safe

Nursery

The Safe

Nursery
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Cribs/Crib Toys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Bathing Aids, Buckets & Pails. . . . . . . . . 4

Gates & Enclosures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

High Chairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Play Pens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Rattles/Squeeze Toys/Teethers. . . . . . . . . 8 

Toy Chests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Walkers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Other Hazards. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Back Carriers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Bassinets & Cradles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Carrier Seats. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Hook-on Chairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Changing Tables. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Pacifiers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Strollers & Carriages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

General Household Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Safe Nursery Checklist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Contents
Introduction

From the beginning of a child’s life, products intended for a

child must be selected with safety in mind. Parents and caretakers of babies and young children need to be aware of many

potential hazards in the child’s environment hazards from

incorrect use of products or with products not well designed

for their intended purpose. The Consumer Product Safety

Commission hopes this booklet, with its selected safety hints,

will be your ABC primer helping you buy nursery products,

using them, keeping them in good repair, and properly disposing of a product if it becomes a hazard. The Commission

has several ways to keep you informed. The Commission

publishes Safety Alerts and recall notices, has a Hotline service (1-800-638-2772, TTY: 1-800-638-8270) and has a

Website page (www.cpsc.gov). CPSC can also send you

information for hosting a Baby Safety Shower, a great way to

inform new parents how to protect their babies from harm in

their own homes.

1

A is for Awareness . . .

of parents and caretakers about potential hazards in the child’s environment,

including nursery products.

B is for Baby.

C is for Caution . . . in selecting and maintaining products

for the child’s environment, including

nursery products.

S is for Safety . . . the sum of the A B C’s.
Cribs

More infants die every year in accidents involving cribs than

with any other nursery product. Thousands of infants are

injured seriously enough to require treatment in hospital

emergency rooms. 

If You’re Buying a New Full-Size Crib

1. Corner posts should not extend more than 1/16 inch (1

1/2 mm) above the top of the end panel. Corner posts can

be catchpoints for items placed around a child’s neck or

clothing worn by the child.

2. Mattress support hangers should be secured by bolts or

closed hooks. All crib hardware should be securely tightened and checked frequently.

3. Bumper pads, if used, should (a) fit around the entire crib,

(b) tie or snap into place, and (c) have straps or ties at

least in each corner, in the middle of each long side, and

on both the top and the bottom edges. To prevent your

baby from becoming entangled in the ties, trim off excess

length after tying. Use the bumpers until the baby can pull

up to a standing position, then remove them so that the

baby will not use them to try to climb out of the crib.

4. Remove and destroy all plastic wrapping materials. Never

use plastic bags as mattress covers. The plastic film may

cling to a baby’s face and cause suffocation.

If You Already Have a Crib

1. CPSC discourages the use of used cribs. Use a crib that

meets Federal safety regulations and industry voluntary

standards (ASTM) and make sure it has a tight fitting

mattress. Check the labeling on these products to make

sure they meet safety requirements.

2. Check the crib and replace any missing parts, such as

screws, bolts or mattress support hangers, before placing

your child in it. Make sure all screws or bolts are securely tightened. Any screw inserted into a wood component

that cannot be tightened securely should be replaced by

one that fits. On cribs where the mattress support is suspended by hangers attached to hooks on the end panels,

check frequently to be sure they have not become disconnected. Never use a crib with broken or missing parts.

3. Use a mattress that fits tightly. If you can fit more than

two fingers between the edge of the mattress and crib

side, the mattress is too small. An infant can suffocate if

its head or body becomes wedged between the mattress

and the crib sides. 

2

Major Hazards

Corner post extensions greater than 1/16

of an inch (1 1/2 mm) may cause entanglement with clothing or necklace

Corner post

extensions less

than 1/16 of an

inch

Decorative cut-out at top of

headboard or footboard may

cause head/neck entrapment

Mattress support hangers

that attach to hooks may

become disconnected and

may cause head entrapment.

Check frequently.
4. Avoid older cribs with headboard and footboard designs

that may allow an infant’s head to become caught in the

openings between the corner post and the top rail, or in

other openings in the top edge of the headboard structure.

These openings may lead to strangulation.

5. Corner posts should be less than 1/16 inches high. (1-1/2

mm) unless the crib has a canopy. Do not use a crib that

has decorative knobs on corner posts. If you already have

a crib with such knobs, the knobs should be unscrewed or

sawed off flush with the headboard or footboard. Sand off

splinters and sharp corners.

6. Never use a crib that has loose or missing slats. Be sure

that all slats are securely fastened in place and the space

between slats is no more than 2-3/8 inches (60 mm) to

avoid head entrapment/strangulation. 

7. If you paint or refinish the crib, use only high quality

household lead-free enamel paint and let it dry thoroughly so there are no residual fumes. Check the label on the

paint can to make sure the manufacturer does not recommend against using the paint on items such as cribs.

Some Safety Tips

1. To reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

(SIDS) and prevent suffocation, put your baby to sleep on

his/her back in a crib on a firm, flat mattress. Make sure

there is no soft bedding underneath your baby.

2. Temporary beds: Never place your infant to sleep on an

adult bed, water bed, or bunk bed. Infants up to 18

months can suffocate in their sleep when their bodies or

faces become wedged between the mattress and bed

frame or the mattress and wall. 

3. Never put a crib, child bed, or furniture near window

blinds or drapery. Children can strangle on window cords

or fall through screens. If local fire codes permit window

guards, install them. Make sure all drapery or window

blind cords are out of a child’s reach. CPSC receives

numerous reports of strangulation deaths on window blind

cords. To keep cords out of reach of children, use tie-down 

devices, or take the cord loop and cut it in half to make two

separate cords. Consumers can call 800-506-4634 or

visit windowcoverings.org/20.html to get free repair kits. 

4. Never use strings to hang any object, such as a mobile or

a toy or a diaper bag, on or near the crib where a child

could become caught in it and strangle. If you have toys

with cords or elastic for hanging, cut the strings/cords off.

5. To prevent strangulation, NEVER tie pacifiers/teethers

around your child’s neck. Remove bibs and necklaces

whenever you put your baby in crib or playpen.

6. Always lock the side rail in its raised position whenever

you place your child in the crib. As soon as your child can

stand up, adjust the mattress to its lowest position and

remove the bumper pads. Also, remove any large toys—

an active toddler will use anything for climbing out of the

crib.

7. When your child reaches 35 inches (890 mm) in height,

he/she has outgrown the crib and should sleep in a bed. 

8. Never use plastic bags as mattress covers. The plastic film

may cause suffocation.

9 Check all crib hardware; tighten all nuts, bolts, and

screws frequently. After a crib is moved, be sure all mattress support hangers are secure. Check hooks regularly

to be sure none are broken or bent. Open hooks may

allow the mattress to fall. 

10. Secure bumper pads around the entire crib and snap or tie

in place at least in each corner, in the middle of each long

side, and on both the top and the bottom edges. Cut off

any excess string length.

CRIB TOYS

Crib gyms and other toys that stretch across the crib with

strings, cords or ribbons can be a hazard for older or more

active babies. The Commission knows of cases in which

infants strangled or became entangled in crib gyms or other

toys stretched across their cribs.

• Make sure that crib gyms are installed securely at both ends

so they cannot be pulled down into the crib.

• Make sure that you remove crib gyms and mobiles from the

crib when your baby is 5 months old or begins to push up

on hands and knees.

• Mobiles and any other toys that hang over a crib or playpen

should be out of reach of a child.

• Do not use crib toys with catch points that can hook 

clothing.

3

STRANGULATION HAZARD

Remove all crib toys which are strung across crib or

playpen area when your child is beginning to push up

on hands and knees or is 5 months of age, whichever

comes earliest
Bathing Aids, 

Buckets & Pails

BATHING AIDS

Water presents a real danger: NEVER, even for a moment,

leave your child alone or under sibling supervision in the

bathtub, even when the child is in a bath ring or seat. Bath

rings are intended for use as bath aids, but they are NOT

SAFETY DEVICES! Keep children away from buckets, toilets, pools and other containers of water. Young children can

drown quickly in small amounts of water. Hot water can

scald. To prevent skin burns always check bath water temperature with your wrist or elbow before bathing your baby. 

Safety Tips

1. Never, even for a moment, rely on bath rings or seats to

keep baby safe in the bath. Never leave a baby alone in a

bath ring or seat in the tub. Never rely on a sibling to

supervise a baby in a bath tub. Turning away to get a

towel, answer the doorbell or telephone could result in the

baby drowning.

2. All necessary bathing items (soap, washcloths, towels,

etc.) should be placed by the tub before your baby 

goes in.

3. Only fill the tub with enough water to cover the baby’s

legs. This amount of water is sufficient to bathe the

baby. However, be aware that babies can drown in a

very small amount of water. All it takes is enough water

to cover the nose and mouth.

4. Securely attach bath seats and rings to a SMOOTH

SURFACE. Suction cups will NOT stick to textured,

ridged, appliqued, or factory designed non-skid bathtub

surfaces. Suction cups will not stick to scratched,

chipped, or repainted tub surfaces.

5. Parents and caregivers should be trained in basic CPR

techniques.

BUCKETS & PAILS

Young children will get into everything! The Commission

has many reports of children who were able to pull themselves to a standing position (around 7 months), fall head

first into an open pail and drown.

Safety Tips

• Keep diaper pails tightly closed, and out of the reach of

young children.

• Never use open buckets as diaper pails or leave open buckets containing liquids where children can reach them. They

pose a drowning hazard.

4

WARNING

Prevent Drowning. Never Leave Child Unattended.
Baby Gates

Baby gates are used at the top and bottom of stairs or in open

doorways to prevent toddlers from falling or entering unsafe

areas. But some baby gates themselves are dangerous. The

Commission warns parents and others who care for children

that an entrapment and strangulation hazard exists with accordion-style baby gates that have large V-shaped openings along

the top edge and diamond-shaped openings between the slats.

CPSC knows of deaths that occurred when children’s heads

were entrapped in the V-shaped or diamond-shaped openings

when they attempted to crawl through or over the gates.

Although these hazardous accordion-style baby gates have

not been sold since 1985, you may still find them at yard sales

or in thrift stores. 

If You Will Be Using a Baby Gate

• Choose a gate with a straight top edge and rigid bars or

mesh screen, or an accordion-style gate with small

V-shapes and diamond-shaped openings. Entrances to

V-shapes should be no more than 1-1/2 inches (38 mm) in

width to prevent head entrapment.

• Be sure the baby gate is securely anchored in the doorway

or stairway it is blocking. Children have pushed gates over

and fallen down stairs.

• Gates that are retained with an expanding pressure bar

should be installed with this bar on the side away from the

child. A pressure bar may be used as a toehold by a child to

climb over a gate. Pressure gates are not recommended at

the top of stairways. CPSC is aware of a number of incidents where pressure gates have popped out of openings at

the top of stairs resulting in children falling down stairs. 

EXPANDABLE ENCLOSURES

Circular wooden enclosures that expand, accordion-style, can

present the same entrapment/strangulation hazards as the

accordion-style gates. The Commission knows of deaths that

occurred when children caught their necks in the V-shaped

openings along the top edge of the enclosure, apparently as

they were attempting to climb out. CPSC recommends that

you DO NOT USE ACCORDION-STYLE EXPANDABLE

ENCLOSURES with V-shaped or diamond-shaped openings.

5

Hazardous head entrapment risk Safer— No head entrapment risk

Entrapment areas
High Chairs

Each year, thousands of children are treated in hospital emergency rooms for injuries associated with high chairs. Deaths

also occur. The majority of the injuries result from falls when

restraining straps are not used and when children are not

closely supervised. The majority of deaths occurred when

children slipped down under the tray and strangled. Most

often, these children were either unrestrained or were

restrained only by a waist belt. 

To help prevent injuries and deaths, high chairs should have a

waist strap and a strap that runs between the legs. While in the

high chair, children should ALWAYS be restrained by both

straps. The tray should not be used as a restraining device in

place of the straps. 

Without these two straps, children can stand in the chair seat

and topple from the chair, or slide under the tray and strangle

on the waist strap or when their heads become trapped

between the tray and the chair seat. 

Other accidents occur when the chair tips over. High chairs

may tip if an active child pushes off from a table or wall,

stands up in the high chair, or rocks it back and forth.

If You Are Buying a New High Chair

1. Select one that has a wide base for stability.

2. Examine the restraining straps to ensure that the waist

belt has a buckle that cannot be fastened unless the crotch

strap is also used. 

3. Since the restraining straps must be used every time a

child is placed in the chair, look for straps that are easy to

use. If the straps are difficult to fasten, you might not use

them.

4. Consider a high chair that has a post between the child’s

legs to prevent the child from slipping down and becoming trapped under the tray.

If You Already Have a High Chair or Are Buying One

Secondhand

1. Check the condition of straps and their attachments to

make sure they are securely attached and work properly.

2. If the high chair does not have adequate safety straps,

contact the manufacturer for replacement.

Safety Tips

1. ALWAYS USE ALL RESTRAINING STRAPS PROVIDED. The crotch strap and belt around the waist

should be fastened as soon as a child is placed in the chair

and unfastened only when the child is removed.

Remember, the feeding tray is not a restraint. Only safety straps keep the child from climbing out or sliding down

and strangling.

2. Be sure that the locking device on a folding high chair is

locked each time you set up the chair.

3. Never allow a child to stand up in a high chair.

4. Don’t stray too far from the high chairƒespecially if the

child has shown an ability to unfasten safety straps.

5. Keep the high chair far enough away from a table,

counter, wall, or other surface so that a child can’t use

them to push off.

6. Don’t let children play around a high chair or climb into

it unassisted.

7. Don’t let older children hang on to a high chair while a

baby is in it. The high chair could tip over.

6

Easy-to-operate safety belt with crotch strap.
Playpens

Deaths have occurred when the drop-sides of mesh playpens

and cribs were left in the down position. When a mesh side is

left down, the mesh hangs loosely, forming a pocket or gap

between the edge of the floor panel and the side.Young infants,

even a few weeks old can move to the edge and fall into the

loose mesh pocket where they can be trapped and suffocate.

New mesh-sided playpens with drop-sides have warning

labels that alert parents and others never to leave infants in

playpens with sides in the down position. Be aware that older

mesh playpens or cribs do not have these warning labels.

Many of these products are still in use.

Deaths have also occurred in playpens or travel cribs that have

a rotating hinge in the center of each top rail to enable the

product to be folded into a compact package. These deaths

resulted when the top rails collapsed and formed an acute ‘V’

shape that entrapped the child’s neck. In the entrapment incidents, the hinges were either not turned inward and down or

they somehow rotated during use to the unlocked position.

CPSC has recalled several brands of playpens with these

rotating latches in the center of the top rails.

Some playpens or travel cribs have a hinge at the center of

each top rail with a latching mechanism that locks automatically when the rail is lifted into the normal use position. To

fold these products, a button or other release mechanism must

be used to release the latch. Such products, while similar in

appearance to those with rotating hinges, are not known to

have been involved in any fatal entrapment incidents.

If You Are Buying a New Playpen

1. For playpens with a hinge in the center of each of the four

top rails, look for a playpen or travel crib that has top rails

that automatically lock when lifted into the normal use

position.

2. Look for mesh netting with a very small weave (less than

1/4 inch)—smaller than the tiny buttons on a baby’s

clothing.

3. Slat spaces on a wooden playpen should be no more than

2-3/8 inches (60 mm) in width.

If You Already Have a Playpen or Are Buying One

Secondhand

1. Check the slat spacing on older, wooden playpens. The

Commission does not recommend using it if the space

between slats is more than 2-3/8 inches (60 mm).

2 Check to see if it has a hinge at the center of each top rail

that must be turned toward the inside of the crib and down

to prevent folding. CPSC does not recommend that you

use this type of product.

Safety Tips

1. Always show babysitter/caregiver how to properly set up

playpen according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Improper setup can cause the playpen to collapse, resulting in injury or death to the child.

2. Never leave an infant in a mesh playpen or crib with the

drop-side down. Infants can roll into the space between

the mattress and loose mesh side and suffocate. Even

when a child is not in a playpen, leave the drop-side up.

Children may try to climb back into a playpen and cut or

pinch their fingers on the unlocked hinge mechanism.

3. Remove large toys, bumper pads, or boxes from inside the

playpen. They can be used for climbing out.

4. Avoid tying any items across the top or corner of the

playpen; they can be a strangulation hazard.

7

Playpen must be securely locked into open position

so it cannot collapse.

Side in lowered position forms hazardous “pocket” 

or “gap.”
5. Toys should not be hung from the sides with strings or

cords because they could wrap around a child’s neck. Use

another method for attaching the toys to the playpen.

6. Children may use the top rail of the playpen for teething.

Check vinyl or fabric-covered rails frequently for holes

and tears. A teething child can chew off pieces and choke.

7. If staples are used to attach the mesh side to the floor

plate, make sure none are loose or missing.

8. Examine the mesh and its attachment to the top rail and

floor frequently for loose threads. There have been reports

of entanglements in threads (stitching) that unraveled. 

9. Never use a playpen with holes in the mesh sides. These

could entrap a child’s head and cause strangulation.

10. Never use a playpen with a hinge in the center of each of

the four top rails that fold if each top rail does not automatically lock when the rail is lifted into the normal use

position.

11. Never use a pad that does not fit snugly and never add a

second pad or mattress. Babies have suffocated when

trapped between mattresses or between the playpen side

and mattress that was too small.

8

Rattles/Squeeze

Toys/Teethers

Because children have choked to death on baby rattles, the

Commission issued a regulation in 1978 requiring 1) that rattles be large enough to prevent them from becoming lodged in

an infant’s throat and 2) that they be sturdily constructed to

prevent them from separating into small pieces that can be

swallowed or inhaled. To date, the largest rattle known to

have lodged in an infant’s mouth/throat had an end about the

size of a golf ball. Squeeze toys and teethers have been

involved in similar choking incidents. Rattles, squeeze toys

and teethers involved in incidents had handles or ends small

enough to enter a baby’s mouth and lodge in the throat, blocking the airway. 

Safety Tips

1. Check all rattles, squeeze toys and teethers for small ends

that could extend into the back of the baby’s mouth. If

you feel that the toy may be too small for safety, throw it

away.

2. Take rattles, squeeze toys, teethers, and other small

objects out of the crib or playpen when the baby sleeps.

3. Teethers, like pacifiers, should never be fastened around

a baby’s neck.

4. Avoid rattles and squeeze toys with ball-shaped ends.

Anything that fits inside this template is a choking

hazard.

Generic rattle

1.68 in

(42.7 mm)
Toy Chests

CPSC has received reports of death and brain damage as a

result of toy chest lids falling on children’s heads or necks.

These chests include those specifically manufactured for toy

storage, as well as trunks, wicker chests, wooden storage

chests, and other similar items.

Most of the children were under two years of age. Accidents

occurred when children were reaching over and into the chest

when the lid dropped, either falling on their heads or trapping

them at the neck between the lid and the edge of the toy chest.

Another potentially fatal, but less frequent, hazard is suffocation, which has resulted in the deaths of several children.

These accidents happened when children climbed into toy

chests to hide 

or sleep. Because the toy chests were not adequately ventilated, the children suffocated in the enclosed space.

If You Are Buying a New Toy Chest

1. Look for one that has a support that will hold the hinged

lid open in any position in which it is placed or buy one

with a detached lid or doors.

2. Look for a toy chest with ventilation holes that will not be

blocked if the chest is placed against the wall, or a chest

which, when closed, has a gap between the lid and the

sides of the chest. Many chests are ventilated by a space

between the underside of the lid and sides or front of the

box.

3. Make certain that the lid of the toy chest does not have a

latch.

If you already own a toy chest or trunk with a freely falling

lid, CPSC recommends that you REMOVE THE LID to avoid

possible tragedy. Otherwise, you may wish to install a lid support device designed to hold the lid open in any position. Buy

a spring-loaded lid support that will not require periodic

adjustment.

9

Adjustable friction lid

support not safe for

use on toy chests.

Use this spring-loaded

lid support.
Walkers

The Commission estimates that more children are injured in

baby walkers than with any other nursery product. The accidents happen even when a caregiver is nearby. Almost all of

the victims are children under 15 months of age.

Most of the injuries are caused by:

• Falling down stairs—Children in baby walkers can quickly

move to the edge of the stairs and fall. This kind of accident

frequently happens when someone forgets to close a basement door or safety gate.

• Tipping over—Baby walkers can tip over when children try

to cross uneven surfaces such as door thresholds or carpet

edges.

• Burns— Children in baby walkers can be burned when they

touch hot surfaces such as range doors, radiators, heaters,

and fireplaces. Children can also be burned when they reach

and spill hot liquids such as soup, coffee, or cooking oil. 

You May Want to Use an Activity Center 

Instead of a Walker

In an activity center your child will be protected from most

injuries associated with baby walkers. Some activity centers

are stationary; others allow your child to walk within a limited area.

If You Plan to Use a Walker

It is important to buy a new walker that has safety features to

help prevent falls down stairs. However, it is not possible to

find a product that is safe in every situation. Therefore, it is

very important to follow all safety instructions on the warning

labels. 

Safety Tips

1. To prevent accidents, always keep your child within view.

A walker increases your child’s mobility and his/her reach.

2. To avoid a fall down stairs or steps, make certain that the

door or gate is closed at the top of the stairs every time

you use a walker. 

3. To avoid a tipover, use a walker only on smooth surfaces.

Carpet edges, thresholds, and uneven pavement can cause

a child in walkers to tip over.

4. To avoid a burn injury, keep your child in a walker away

from hot surfaces and containers with hot liquids. Beware

of dangling appliance cords.

5. To avoid a drowning, keep your child in a walker away

from swimming pools, toilets, and other sources of water.

10
Back Carriers

An infant back carrier can make it easier to go shopping,

walking, or hiking with a baby. However, framed back carriers should not be used before a baby is four to five months

old. By then the baby’s neck is able to withstand jolts and not

sustain an injury. Bicycle carriers should not be used before a

baby is one year old. Developmentally, children are just learning to sit unsupported around 9 months of age. It is not until

this age that infants have developed sufficient bone mass and

muscle tone to enable them to sit unsupported with their

backs straight. 

If You Are Buying a New Back Carrier

1. Buy one to match the baby’s size and weight. Try it on

with the baby in it and check for:

• enough depth to support the baby’s back.

• leg openings small enough to prevent the baby from

slipping out.

• leg openings big enough to avoid chafing the baby’s

legs.

2. Look for sturdy materials with strong stitching or large,

heavy duty fasteners to prevent the baby from slipping

out.

3. Look for a back carrier with padded covering over the

metal frame near the baby’s face to protect the baby from

bumps.

Safety Tips

1. A child may stand up or try to climb out of the carrier. If

the back carrier has restraining straps, be sure to use the

restraining straps at all times.

2. Be sure the child’s fingers are clear of the frame joints

when folding the carrier. Check frames for sharp points,

edges or rough surfaces.

3. Check the carrier periodically for ripped seams, missing

or loose fasteners, frayed seats, or straps. Repair them

promptly or discard the carrier.

4. If leaning over or stooping, bend from the knees rather

than the waist to prevent the baby from falling out of the

back carrier.

Bassinets & Cradles

The most frequent injury associated with bassinets and cradles involves children falling either when the bottom of the

bassinet or cradle breaks or when it tips over or collapses.

Suffocation has also been reported in products that are not

structurally sound or when pillows or folded quilts were

under baby.

If You Are Buying a Bassinet or Cradle

1. Look for one with a sturdy bottom and a wide, stable

base.

2. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines on the appropriate

weight and size of babies who can safely use the bassinet

or cradle.

3. Check to make sure that spaces between spindles are no

larger than 2-3/8 in. (60 mm).

Safety Tips

1. Check screws and bolts periodically to see if they are

tight.

2. If the product has legs that fold for storage, make sure that

effective locks are provided to ensure that the legs do not

accidentally fold while in use.

3. Mattresses and padding should fit snugly and be firm and

smooth. Never use pillows.

4. Decorative bows and ribbons should be trimmed short

and stitched securely to prevent strangulation.

5. Swinging cradles should have a way to keep them from

swinging once a baby is asleep.

11

Other Hazards
Carrier Seats

Most injuries associated with carrier seats result from falls:

infants falling out of carrier seats, or the carrier seat falling

with the infant still sitting in it. The movements of an active

infant can cause the carrier seat to move or tip over. Deaths

have occurred when carrier seats or bouncers were placed on

beds, sofas, or other soft surfaces and then tipped over.

Safety Tips

1. The carrier should have a wide, sturdy base for stability.

2. Stay within arm’s reach of the baby when the carrier seat

is on tables, counters, or other furniture. Never turn your

back. Carrier seats slide more easily on slippery surfaces

such as glass table tops.

3. If the carrier seat does not already have non-skid feet,

attach rough surfaced adhesive strips to the underside.

4. Always use the safety belts and keep them snug.

5. If the carrier seat contains wire supporting devices which

snap on the back, check for security. These can pop out

causing the carrier seat to collapse.

6. Never place a carrier seat on soft surfaces such as beds or

sofasƒthe carrier seat may tip over and the baby may

strangle or suffocate.

7. REMEMBER—A carrier seat is not always an infant car

seat, and should never be used in an automobile unless it

is labeled for that purpose. 

Hook-on Chairs

Hook-on chairs are used as substitutes for high chairs and are

attached to the edge of a table. The Commission has reports

of children either falling out of these chairs or dislodging the

chair from the table. 

Safety Tips

1. Do not place the chair where the child’s feet can reach

table supports, benches, or chairs, to push off from and

dislodge the chair from the table.

2. The restraining straps should be easy to use and always

fastened around the child when in the chair.

3. After clamping the chair to the table, check its security by

pulling backwards on the chair.

4. Don’t leave a child unattended.

5. Never use hook-on chairs on glass top, single pedestal or

unstable tables.

Changing Tables

Most injuries associated with changing tables occur when

children fall from the changing table to the floor. 

Safety Tip

Look for a table with safety straps and always use them. In

the instant it takes to turn for diapers and pins, an active baby

can roll over and fall. Remember, just because you are using

the safety straps it does not mean that you can leave your

child unattended.

Pacifiers

In 1977, the Commission issued a regulation for the safety of

pacifiers. Among other requirements, the regulation says that:

• Pacifiers must be strong enough to not separate into small

pieces on which a baby could choke or suffocate.

• Pacifier guards or shields must be large enough and firm

enough to prevent the pacifier from being drawn entirely

into a baby’s mouth.

• Pacifier guards or shields must have ventilation holes.

• Pacifiers cannot be sold with a ribbon, string, cord, or yarn

attached, and must be labeled with the statement:

“Warning—Do Not Tie Pacifier Around Child’s Neck as it

Presents a Strangulation Danger.”

Although the regulation has helped to reduce the number of

accidents involving pacifiers, the Commission still receives

reports of infants strangling on pacifier cords or ribbons tied

around their necks. Children have caught pacifier cords on

crib corner posts, crib toys and gyms, pieces of furniture, and

even doorknobs.

Safety Tips

1. REMEMBER, NEVER HANG ANYTHING AROUND

YOUR BABY’S NECK.

2. Pacifiers may deteriorate with age, exposure to food, sunlight, etc. Inspect them frequently and discard immediately if you notice a change in texture, tears, holes or

weakening.

12
Strollers & Carriages

Deaths have resulted when infants were left to sleep in

strollers with the backrest reclined to the carriage position.

The infants moved (wriggled) feet first towards the front of

the stroller and, when their bodies passed through the opening

between the handrest (grab bar) and front edge of the seat,

they became trapped by the head and strangled. 

If You Are Buying a Stroller or Carriage

1. If you choose a stroller that has a handrest (grab bar) at

the front of the seat, make sure the opening between grab

bar and seat can be closed when it is used in the reclined

carriage position. 

2. If a stroller has a shopping basket for carrying packages,

it should be low on the back of the stroller and in front of

(or directly over) the rear wheels. Hanging pocketbooks

or shopping bags over handles may cause tipping.

3. Check the seat belt to make sure it is strong and durable,

fits snugly around your child, and can be easily fastened

and unfastened. Use the seat belt each time you place the

baby in the stroller.

4. Make sure that the brake is convenient to operate and

actually locks the wheels. Brakes on two wheels provide

an extra measure of safety.

Safety Tips

1. Close the opening between handrest (grab bar) and seat

when using a stroller in the reclined carriage position.

2. When folding or unfolding a stroller, keep your child

away from it. Children’s fingers have been amputated in

parts of the folding mechanism.

3. Always secure the seat belt.

4. Never leave a child unattended in a stroller, especially

when the baby is asleep.

5. A stroller is not a toy. Never allow children to use one as

a plaything.

6. Never use a pillow, folded quilt, or blanket as a mattress

in a stroller or carriage.

13

NEVER leave a child unattended in a stroller because

the child may slip into a leg opening, become

entrapped by the head, and die.
1. Other children’s products: Drawstrings on children’s

clothing pose strangulation and entanglement hazards.

Hood or neck drawstrings can strangle a child if they get

caught on such items as playground equipment or cribs.

Remove drawstrings from hood and the neck area of outerwear including jackets and sweatshirts. CPSC recommends that consumers purchase children’s outerwear with

alternative closures, such as snaps, buttons, or Velcro,

instead of long, loose drawstrings.

2. Dressers and shelves: Young children can be killed when

furniture tips over. These children can climb on a lower

drawer that has been pulled out and use it as a step. This

can cause the dresser to tip over. Use latches on lower

drawers to ensure that drawers are not opened by young

children or use angle braces or anchors to secure furniture

to a wall. 

3. Toys: Babies use their mouths to learn about the world

around them. At two months old they can usually grip

small objects. Keep tiny objects out of reach of your baby,

especially SMALL BALLS, MARBLES and BALLOONS. Smooth round objects present the highest risk of

choking. Uninflated balloons and balloon pieces can easily be inhaled into the lungs. Be sure to check the labeling

on the toy for the appropriate age for safe use.

4. To prevent poisoning: Children may try to eat cake

deodorizers used in pails (such as diaper pails). Keep containers that use these deodorizers securely closed. Childresistant packaging is not child proof. Keep all medicines,

iron-containing vitamins and household cleaning products, including those with child-resistant packaging,

locked away from children. Keep poisonous plants out of

children’s reach.

5. To prevent burns, other injuries: Use your stove’s back

burners and keep pot handles turned to the back of the

stove. Lock up knives, matches, cigarette lighters and

plastic bags away from children.

6. Do not place plastic climbing equipment indoors on hard

surfaces. Falls on cement, tile, and other hard floors, even

covered with carpet, can result in serious head injury and

death. Use these only outdoors on shock-absorbing surfaces such as mulch or sand. Grass is not considered a

shock-absorbing surface.

7. Fire hazards: Install smoke detectors on each floor of

your home, especially near sleeping areas; test them on a

regular basis and change the batteries each year, or when

a “chirping” sound is heard. 

8. Electric hazards: Use safety plugs to cover electrical outlets, and keep all loose hanging wires and appliance cords

out of reach of children. Use ground fault circuit interrupters devices to protect outlets in basement, kitchen,

bathroom, garage, and outdoor.

9. Carbon monoxide poisoning: Make sure all fuel burning

appliances are properly installed, used, and maintained

annually at the start of the heating season. Do not leave

vehicles running in garages. Install at least one CO detector that meets the requirement of the most recent UL standard.

10. For information on children’s car seats and Auto 

Safety Hotline, contact the National Highway Traffic

Safety Administration, 1-800-424-9393, 202-366-0123

(Washington, DC area only). Its Website page is

www.nhtsa.dot.gov

11. CPSC has many other publications that have more information about these tips. Please see the back page of this

booklet for information on how to request other publications, or visit our Website page (www.cpsc.gov).

14

General Household Tips

WARNING

Young children can be killed when furniture tips over.

Place TVs on lower furniture, as far back as possible.

Use angle-braces or anchors to secure furniture to wall.

Angle Brace

Anchor
SAFE NURSERY

CHECKLIST

After you have read the information in the Safe Nursery

Guide, use this checklist as your guide when buying new or

secondhand nursery products, or when you evaluate the product now being used by your baby or young child. You may

want to add other features to check, or add other children’s

products. 

15

Cribs 

Slats are spaced no more than 2-3/8

inches (60 mm) apart.

No slats are missing, loose or cracked.

Mattress fits snugly — no more than

two fingers width between edge of

mattress and cribside. 

Mattress support is securely attached

to the headboard and footboard.

Corner posts are no higher than 1/16

of an inch (1-1/2 mm) .

No cutouts in top edge of headboard

and footboard.

Drop-side latches cannot be easily

released by a baby.

Drop-side latches securely hold side in

raised position.

All screws, bolts and other hardware

are present and tight. 

Crib Toys 

No strings or cords should dangle into

the crib.

Crib gym or mobile has label warning

to remove from crib when child can

push up on hands and knees or reaches 5 months of age, whichever comes

first. Note: Some mobiles have two

parts: one without strings, like a music

box, that can stay on the crib, and the

mobile that should be removed from

the crib.

Components of toys are too large to

be a choking hazard.

Gates and Enclosures 

Openings in gate are too small to

entrap a child’s head or neck.

Gate has a pressure bar or other fastener that will resist forces exerted by

a child.

High Chairs

There is a “crotch” strap that must be

used when restraining a child in a high

chair.

High chair has restraining straps that

are independent of the tray.

Tray locks securely.

Buckles on straps are easy to fasten

and unfasten.

High chair has a wide base for 

stability.

Caps or plugs on tubing are firmly

attached and cannot be pulled off and

choke a child.

Folding high chair has effective locking device. 
16

Playpens 

Playpens or travel cribs have top rails

that will automatically lock when lifted

into the normal use position. 

Playpen does NOT have a rotating

hinge in the center of the top rails. 

Drop-side mesh playpen or mesh crib

has warning label about never leaving

a side in the down position.

Playpen mesh has small weave (less

than 1/4 inch openings). 

Mesh has no tears or loose threads.

Mesh is securely attached to top rail

and floorplate.

Wooden playpen has slats spaced no

more than 2-3/8 inches (60 mm) apart.

Bassinets and Cradles

Bassinet/cradle has a sturdy bottom

and a wide base for stability.

Bassinet/cradle has smooth 

surfaces — no protruding staples 

or other hardware that could injure 

the baby.

Legs have strong, effective locks to

prevent folding while in use.

Mattress is firm and fits snugly.

Wood or metal cradles have slats

spaced no more than 2-3/8in. 

(60 mm) apart. 

Back Carriers

Leg openings are small enough to

prevent child from slipping out.

Leg openings are large enough to 

prevent chafing.

Frame joints in the folding 

mechanism.

Carrier has padded covering over

metal frame near baby’s face.

Walkers

Walker has safety features to help prevent a fall down stairs.

Toy Chests

Toy chest has no latch to entrap child

within the chest. 

Toy chest has spring-loaded lid support that will not require periodic

adjustment and will support the lid in

any position to prevent lid slam.

Chest has ventilation holes or spaces

in front or sides, or under lid.

Rattles/Squeeze

Toys/Teethers

Rattles, squeeze toys and teethers

have handles too large to lodge in

baby’s throat. 

Squeeze toys do not contain a squeaker that could detach and choke a baby.

Avoid rattles with ball shaped ends.
17

Hook-on Chairs 

Chair has restraining straps.

Chair has a clamp that locks onto the

table for added security.

Caps or plugs on tubing are firmly

attached and cannot be pulled off to

choke child. 

Hook-on chair has a warning never to

place chair where child can push off

with feet.

Strollers and Carriages 

Stroller has wide base to prevent 

tipping.

Seat belt and crotch strap are securely

attached to frame.

Seat belt buckle is easy to use.

Brakes securely lock the wheel(s).

Shopping basket is low on the back

and located directly over or in front of

the wheels.

When used in carriage position, leg

hole openings can be closed.

Pacifiers

Pacifier has no ribbons, string, cord or

yarn attached.

Shield is large enough and firm

enough so it cannot fit into child’s

mouth.

Guard or shield has ventilation holes

so baby can breath if shield goes into

mouth.

Pacifier nipple has no holes or tears

that might cause it to break off in

baby’s mouth.

Changing Tables

Table has safety straps to prevent falls.

Table has drawers or shelves that are

easily accessible without leaving the

baby unattended.

Carrier Seats

Carrier seat has a wide, sturdy base

for stability.

Carrier has non-skid feet to prevent

slipping.

Supporting devices lock securely.

Carrier seat has a crotch and waist

strap.

Buckle or strap is easy to use.
For further information, write:

U.S. Consumer Product

Safety Commission

Washington, D.C. 20207

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety

Commission protects the public from

unreasonable risks of injury or death from

15,000 types of consumer products under

the agency’s jurisdiction. To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury

and for information on CPSC’s fax-ondemand service, call CPSC’s hotline at

(800) 638-2772 or CPSC’s teletypewriter at

(301) 595-7054. To order a press release

through fax-on-demand, call (301) 504-

0051 from the handset of your fax machine

and enter the release number. Consumers

can obtain recall information at CPSC’s

web site at http://www.cpsc.gov or via

Internet gopher services at cpsc.gov.

Consumers can report product hazards to

info@cpsc.gov.

This document is in the public domain. It may be

reproduced in part or in whole by an individual or

organization without permission. If it is reproduced, however, the Commission would appreciate

knowing how it was used. Write the U.S. Consumer

Product Safety Commission, Washington, D.C.

20207. Or visit us on our Website: www.cpsc.gov.

CPSC 202 009709