Health Alert

Used-crib dangers

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) warns that older, used cribs might have unsafe design features that could strangle or suffocate children.

Safe cribs should have: a firm mattress that fits tightly to all crib sides; no more than 2 3/8 inches between crib slats; no missing, loose or broken crib or mattress-support hardware; no corner posts more than 1/16 of an inch over panels; no headboard or footboard cutouts; a mattress support that does not easily pull away from corner posts; and no peeling paint, splinters or rough edges. CPSC recommends buying cribs with national safety standard certification seals.