Kid to Kid Cares about Product Safety

Hazardous crib bumper pads

 Traditional crib bumpers prevent head injuries and limb entrapment, the leading causes of crib injuries in children today.

JPMA has also urged the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) via petition last week to adopt a mandatory rule to define and distinguish between hazardous “soft” pillow-like crib bumper pads and traditional crib bumpers. The petition further outlines JPMA’s opinion that parents will benefit from a clarifying standard when shopping in retail locations.

“Our fear is that if there is an elimination of traditional crib bumpers, parents will still want the product and will begin creating their own makeshift bumper as a protective barrier from the tight slat/spindle dimensions and hard wooden surface of the crib slats," said Michael Dwyer CAE, Executive Director of JPMA. “We are already seeing early evidence of this in social networking forums and through injury reports, and parents need to be able to trust products that are currently available on store shelves that have passed rigorous safety and reliability tests.”

Data demonstrates that the message is not always reaching the child rearing population or perhaps is being ignored. As a result, JPMA is concerned that any recommendations that result in the de facto elimination of safe and useful products specifically designed for infant use, will have unintended consequences. 

“Manufacturers are committed to working with CPSC and other stakeholders to develop a mandatory standard for crib bumper pads,” continued Dwyer. “The standard process, led by ASTM is currently underway for infant bedding and crib bumpers. JPMA believes that the ASTM crib bumper dynamic requirements, which were supported by the subcommittee, can now provide a reasonable basis for a Federal crib bumper performance standard that distinguishes safe products and allows choices for parents.”

ASTM, formerly the American Society for Testing and Materials, facilitates discussions to establish voluntary standards for a variety of industries including juvenile products. Manufacturers, along side consumer advocates, government agencies and engineers, have been working to define the crib bumper standard to help parents in their selection process.

Parents can find tips and recommendations when outfitting baby’s sleep environment at www.cribsafety.org and through safety tip inserts provided with product packaging for the last decade. 

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