Government considers new standards for cribs

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission voted unanimously on Wednesday on new proposed mandatory standards for cribs.

The new rules would render many cribs in country as not up to code. They also do not take into consideration whether the crib style and model was ever considered unsafe, and would also ban the manufacture and sale of drop-side cribs. The new rules would also make better mattress support, sturdier hardware, and higher quality wood for crib construction obligatory. CNN reports that between November 2007 and April of this year, there were 36 deaths associated with crib structural problems, according to Commission Chairwoman Inez Tenebaum. The new standards will attempt to eliminate gaps where babies can become trapped and suffocate, and they would also aim to prevent babies from falling out of cribs. There is concern as to how the new rules would impact certain industries. Some manufacturers and retailers may not be able to sell cribs that are already in stock if they do not meet the new standards. Other businesses, such as hotels and child-care facilities, may have to purchase new cribs. CNN quotes commissioner Anne Northup:

My biggest fear is that day-care centers, in particular, will be stuck with no other option but to place babies in play yards or on floor mats -- even temporarily -- since the purchase of so many new cribs will be quite expensive.

Crib companies, however, may not be so worried about the new standards. In fact, they may be a little glad. Northup adds:

If you are a crib company, at this point you are probably dancing ... because of the various effects of this law. While companies certainly will lose current inventory that does not meet the new standard, they will also reap tremendous financial rewards since every family and day-care center in the near future will be forced to purchase a brand-new crib.

The unanimous endorsement of the new standards came as the agency also announced that Pottery Barn Kids is recalling over 80,000 drop-side cribs for reasons of entrapment, suffocation, and other hazards, says CNN. The Consumer Product Safety Commission asks that consumers stop using recalled cribs, inspect the hardware, and contact Pottery Barn Kids to receive a free kit that will convert the drop side to a fixed gate.