Baby Product Safety Alert

Crib Cornerposts Strangulation Hazard Children's clothing or other items can catch on cornerposts or knobs. Crib Hardware Failure Strangulation/Suffocation Hazard Hardware failures can create openings that can entrap a child.

Crib Toys Strangulation Hazard Remove all crib toys which are strung across crib or playpen area when your child is beginning to push up on hands or knees or is 5 months of age, whichever occurs first. 1. Tighten all nuts, bolts, and screws periodically. 2. Whenever crib is moved, be sure all mattress support hangers are secure. 3. Check hooks regularly to be sure non are broken or bent. Open hooks may allow the mattress to fall. 4. Use a crib which meets Federal Safety Standards and Industry Voluntary Standards for cribs and has a firm tight-fitting mattress.

Window Blind or Drapery Cords Strangulation Hazard

Horizontal Blinds * Cut the cord above the tassel, remove the equalizer buckle, and add a separate tassel at the end of each cord, or * Cut the cord above the tassel, remove the equalizer buckle, and add a breakaway tassel which will separate if a child becomes entangled in the loop. To prevent inner cords from benig pulled into a loop, install cord stops as shown at www.windowcoverings.org/howtorepair.html - and, for basic publications visit www.windowcoverings.org Pleated or Cellular Shades * Leave the cord stop near the headrail in place. Cut the cord above the tassel and add a separate tassel at the end of each cord. Warning: When shades are raised, a loop will appear above the cord stop. Keep cord out of the reach of children. Verticle Blinds, Continuous Loop Systems, and Drapery Cords * Install a cord tie-down device. Permanently attach and use the tie-down to floor, wall or window jamp.

Strollers Strangulation/Suffocation Hazard NEVER leave a child unattended in a stroller because the child may slip into a leg opening, become entrapped by the head, and die.

Toy Chests Strangulation/Suffocation Hazard with chests used to store toys.

A spring-loaded lid-support device can keep a lid from falling on a child's neck or from closing and trapping a child playing inside the chest. This device costs about $7.50 and should be used on all chests that store toys.

Strings, Cords, and Necklaces Strangulation Hazard

NEVER tie pacifiers or other items around your child's neck.

Infant Cushions Suffocation Hazard CPSC banned the infant cushion in 1992. Destroy any infant cushions still in consumers' homes.

Beds Suffocation Hazard Use a crib which meets Federal Safety Standards and Industry Voluntary Standards for cribs and has a firm tight-fitting mattress.

Mesh-sided Playpens and Cribs Suffocation Hazard The playpen must be securely locked into open position so it cannot collapse.

The side in a lowered position forms a hazardous "pocket" or "gap."

Plastic Bags Suffocation Hazard Children have suffocated when plastic bags (usually dry-cleaning, garbage or trash bags) have clocked the nose and mouth and prevented breathing. Keep plastic bags away from children. Do NOT use as a mattress cover.

Tap Water Scalds Burn Hazard Anti-scald Devices range in price from $15 to $75, not including installation. Anti-scald devices can keep water temperature below 120 degrees Farenheit to help prevent scald burns. Set water heater temperature at 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

Infant Carriers Fall Hazard To prevent injuries and deaths witih infant carrier seats, always use restraining straps and watch the child carefully, even when strapped in. Do NOT place carrier seats on soft, unstable surfaces.

• Close the door or gate at the top of the stairs.
  
• Keep children away from hot surfaces and containers.
  
• Beware of dangling appliance cords.
  
• Keep children away from toilets, swimming pools and other sources of water.

Do NOT allow children under the age of six to play with uninflated balloons without supervision. Immediately collect the pieces of broken balloons and dispose of them out of the reach of young children.

Keep small balls and other smooth round objects away from those who have a tendency to put such objects in their mouths.

Avoid rattles, squeeze toys, teethers and other toys with ball-shaped ends. Choose handles too large to lodge in a baby's throat.

• NEVER, even for a moment, leave your child unattended near water.
• Keep small children away from buckets, toilets, and other containers of water.
• Supervise young children at all times in the bathtub.

A swimming pool should have a fence or barrier surrounding all four sides with self-closing and self-latching gates. If the house is part of the barrier, all doors leading from the house to the pools should be protected with an alarm.

Use the child-resistant closures that come on most medicines and household chemicals. Safety closures save lives Safety latches for kitchen, bathroom, and workshop cabinets can help keep household chemicals and medicines locked away from children.