Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Baby Furniture Crib: Important Guidelines to Follow

By Yanli Liu

If you are expecting a new baby, this is undoubtedly an exciting time. Along with all of the other preparations you are making, chances are you'll be looking to purchase a baby furniture crib. If so, you should make sure you choose a crib that is safe, durable, and affordable.

When it comes to safety, realize that there are many new safety standards on the horizon. This can be a bit confusing, but in the end it results in greater safety for babies and peace of mind for parents.

Standard cribs usually feature an adjustable mattress height modification mechanism and one or two drop sides. The drop sides makes it easier for a grown adult to lift the baby out of the crib, and the mattress adjustment is necessary because as the child grows and can stand on the mattress there is a danger that the child may try to climb over the top of the crib which would lead to injury.

Baby furniture cribs that grow with your child are another popular option. These cribs convert to a toddler bed as your child develops, and may also convert to a full size bed as well. This continuity helps your child feel safe as they learn to adjust to sleeping in a larger bed. Portable cribs are also available, but parents should be aware that these cribs aren't subject to the same exacting standards as full sized cribs

When looking at cribs to buy, parents should do their homework on recalls that may have been issued by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Cribs are sometimes recalled because of violations in slat width (they cannot be more than 2 3/8 inches apart) or in the mattress support system. For example, a strap system is not allowed, as it is more likely to fail than a metal spring system.

Sometimes, the mattress is found to not tightly fit, thereby leaving a gap between the mattress and the sides of the crib. Missing,incorrect or loose parts make a baby crib exceedingly dangerous. Drop side failure has been found to create the most recalls, though. Unless a used crib has the manufacturers product codes on it as well as the manufacturers name or the crib has an accompanying product information booklet, do not purchase it, as you will need the codes or numbers to verify that it has not been recalled.

You may want to consider alternative crib designs, like a fold out crib instead of the more dangerous drop side cribs that may trap the baby's head. In the future, there may be laws banning drop side cribs altogether. Parents should watch the news closely in order to avoid the hassle and expense of purchasing a recalled baby furniture crib. The CPSC is also considering a rule that provides that cribs should be lower to the floor so that children are less likely to suffer serious injury due to a fall. Again, make sure to stay current on crib safety regulations and always check for recalls.

The best way to go about purchasing a baby furniture crib is to choose a dealer who is well informed about crib regulations and is truly concerned with your child's safety. Read store advertisements closely, and you'll easily be able to spot those who are truly concerned with your child's safety.

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