Safety Tips
- Make sure that the crib’s drop side is always at its highest position.
- Do not harness or tie a baby in a crib and do not leave a baby in a crib with a necklace, elastic band, scarf, or a pacifier on a long cord. These items could cause strangulation.
- Don’t ever tie a pacifier or any other object like a necklace, elastic band or scarf around the baby’s neck because hof strangulation risks.
- Mobiles should be out of the baby’s reach.
- Remove mobiles and toy bars when the baby begins to push up on their hands and knees. Lower the mattress to its lowest level and take away all the larger objects that could allow the child to get out of bed. Stop using the crib when the child can get out of it by himself.
- Place the crib away from windows, curtains, blind cords, lamps, electrical plugs and extension cords. The child risks sticking his head between the cords and could accidentally hang himself. Children develop abilities to climb when they're growing up so they could climb on the windowsill and fall.
- To reduce the risks of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), lay a healthy child on their back.
- Avoid the use of soft pillows, comforters, stuffed toys, and bumper pads in the baby's crib as they can pose a suffocation hazard. The child’s environment should be smoke-free. If the room temperature is right for the adult, it’s right for the baby. Dress and cover your child so that he won't get too hot, even if he is sick.
- Check the crib often to make sure the frame is solid.
- Tighten loose screws regularly.
- The plastic teething rail should be replaced if it's ripped or torn to avoid cuts and scrapes. The mattress must be in good condition. It should not be too soft or too used because the baby’s head could sink in it and he could suffocate.
- Don’t EVER lay a baby on a water bed or air mattress.
If you have questions after checking your crib, visit the Health Canada website and look for the Consumer Product Safety page.
