Soft bedding may present a suffocation hazard for infants. In April 1999, CPSC recommended eliminating all soft bedding in babies' cribs to prevent deaths. Young children can be seriously hurt from falls on playgrounds. About 15 children die each year from playground-related injuries, including at least three children on playgrounds at child care settings since 1990. Most injuries occur when a child falls from the equipment onto the ground.
Fractures are the most commonly reported diagnosis, accounting for about one-third of the injuries.
In addition, the surfacing should be properly maintained. CPSC developed playground safety guidelines, which are widely used throughout the country, to design, construct, operate, and maintain safe public playgrounds. Child safety gates can protect children from hazards, especially falls down stairs. Safety gates can prevent a wide range of injuries. For example, in 1997, over 100,000 children under 5 went to U.S. hospital emergency rooms with stair-related injuries.