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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. |
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If You're Buying a New Playpen |
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1.
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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.
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| 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. |
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| 3. |
Slat
spaces on a wooden playpen should be no more than 2-3/8 inches (60
mm) in width. |
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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). |
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| 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. |
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Some
Safety Tips
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 3. |
Remove
large toys, bumper pads, or boxes from inside the playpen. They can
be used for climbing out. |
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| 4. |
Avoid
tying any items across the top or corner of the playpen; they can
be a strangulation hazard. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 7. |
If
staples are used to attach the mesh side to the floor plate, make
sure none are loose or missing. |
