Four children have died and 43 were injured from 2005-’10 due to safety issues with toddler beds.
To help prevent additional injuries to children, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has approved a new mandatory standard that calls for toddler beds sold on or after Oct. 20 to meet the following requirements:
The upper edge of the guard rail must be at least 5 inches above the bed’s mattress.
Spindles and slats must be tested for strength using the same testing for children’s cribs.
Separate warning labels about strangulation and entrapment hazards must be on the beds.
Manufacturers also will be required to meet these standards for cribs that convert into toddler beds.
Read the rule in the April 20 Federal Register at www.federalregister.gov/articles/2011/04/20/2011-9421/safety-standard-for-toddler-beds#p-5.
