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CPSC, JPMA Launch
Campaign About the Hidden Hazards of Placing Babies in Adult
Beds
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission (CPSC) and the Juvenile Products Manufacturers
Association (JPMA) launched a national safety campaign
aimed at reducing deaths associated with placing babies in
adult beds. The announcement was made at a press conference
at the annual International Juvenile Products Show in
Dallas,
Texas. CPSC data shows that from 1999 through 2001 at least
180 children under the age of two died after being placed in
adult beds.
The national safety campaign encourages safe sleeping
practices
for babies. The campaign will be targeted to reach new and
expectant parents, day care providers, hospitals and health
departments.
"Many parents may be unaware of the hidden dangers
associated with placing babies in adult beds," said
Acting CPSC Chairman Thomas Moore.
"We are warning parents that simply
pushing an adult bed against a wall or lining the edges of a
bed with pillows won't protect their babies. In fact,
these practices place infants in danger of suffocation and
entrapment."
Robert Waller, Jr. executive vice president of JPMA said,
"We are pleased to launch this national safety campaign
with the CPSC to help inform parents of the hidden hazards
of placing babies in adult beds.
Our members hope to contribute to this effort by
helping to get the word out with information provided to consumers
at retail outlets nationwide."
The CPSC data shows that babies placed in adult beds are at risk
of dying from several hidden hazards including:
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Entrapment between the bed and wall, or
between the bed and another object.
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Entrapment involving headboards, footboards or bed frames.
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Soft bedding-related hazards (such as suffocation on a
pillow).
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Falls (sometimes into a pile of clothing or plastic, resulting
in suffocation).
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Overlaying of the baby by another child or adult in the bed.
The campaign will include a video news release (VNR) that will
be fed to stations nationwide highlighting the hazards
associated with placing babies in adult beds and safety
pamphlets/posters distributed through retailers, hospitals,
health departments and various grass roots organizations.
Acting CPSC Chairman Thomas Moore said "Many of
these tragic deaths associated with placing babies in adult
beds are preventable."
The CPSC recommends the following safety tips to ensure that
babies under 24 months sleep safely:
- Don't place a baby to sleep in an adult bed.
* Hidden hazard: The baby could become entrapped between the
bed & wall,
or in headboards, footboards, bedframes. Babies could also
fall
or suffocate in soft bedding.
- Place babies to sleep on their backs in a crib that meets
current
safety standards and has a firm, tight-fitting mattress. If
you use a
portable crib or
playpen, make sure it meets current safety standards.
Use only the mattress or pad provided by the manufacturer.
- Babies should be placed to sleep on their backs, not their
stomachs.
* Hidden hazard: According to the Back to Sleep Campaign,
"Babies
sleeping on their stomachs seem to be more likely to succumb
to SIDS
(Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)."
- Don't place a baby to sleep on soft bedding.
* Hidden Hazard: The baby could suffocate. Do not use soft
bedding such
as pillows and thick quilts and comforters for infants under
12 months
old.
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Provide Infants and Newborns with a Safe Sleeping
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For Hotels and Resorts looking for information on Crib
Safety go to:
Crib
Products and Safety Information
Hotel Crib Maintenance Program for Crib Safety in Hotels and Resorts
Sleeping Options for Children - Playyards, Non-Full Size Cribs, Full Size Cribs, Toddler Beds and Kid Beds for Hotels and Resorts
To purchase portable playyards go to:
Kids Travel Products - Portable Cribs
To view Hotel room Safety Tips Click Below:
See the following sections for other travel news about
safety:
First Aid Safety Tips for Managing an
Emergency Click Below:
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