There are a few different child bedroom laws in Maryland that parents should be aware of. These laws are in place to help ensure that children have a safe and comfortable place to sleep at night.
First, all children under the age of two must sleep in a crib or bassinet. This is to prevent them from rolling out of bed and getting hurt. Cribs and bassinets must meet certain safety standards set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Second, all children under the age of six must have a bed that is low to the ground. This is so they cannot fall out of bed and get injured. Beds can be made out of any material, but they must have rails on both sides if they are more than two feet off the ground.
Third, all children under the age of eighteen must have a smoke detector in their bedroom. This is to protect them from fires that could start in their room while they are sleeping. Smoke detectors must be tested monthly and batteries should be replaced every six months.
Fourth, no child under the age of thirteen should have a waterbed in their bedroom due to the risk of drowning. If you do have a waterbed, it should be surrounded by fencing that is at least four feet high with no gaps larger than four inches wide. The fence should also be equipped with a self-latching gate to keep kids from getting into the waterbed unsupervised.
Lastly, any electrical outlets in your child’s bedroom should be covered with plastic caps when not in use. This will prevent them from sticking their fingers or other objects into sockets and getting electrocuted. All cords for appliances should also be kept out of reach so kids cannot pull them down and get hurt by falling objects