Cribs, playpens & bassinets cause 9,500 ER visits yearly

Kids keep emergency rooms busy. According to a study published in the March 2011 issue of Pediatrics, an average of 9,500 emergency room visits per year are related to cribs, playpen and bassinets -- the very things that, as parents, we rely on to help keep our children safe. "Despite the attention given to crib safety over the past two decades, the number of injuries and deaths associated with these products remains unacceptably high," Gary Smith, MD, senior author of the study and director of the Center for Injury Research and Policy, said in a prepared statement.

The Study

Researchers at the Center for Injury Research and Policy of The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital examined injuries associated with cribs, playpens and bassinets among children younger than 2 years of age from 1990 through 2008. Data for this study were collected from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, which is operated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

During the 19-year study period, an average of 9,500 injuries and more than 100 deaths related to these products were seen in U.S. emergency departments each year. To break down the findings, emergency rooms saw:

• 83 percent of the injuries involved the crib;
• 34 percent were soft tissue injuries, such as sprain, strain or bruising
• 21 percent were concussion or head injury
• 66 percent were the result of a fall (the percentage of injuries attributed to falls increased with age)

What can you do

Since watching your child 24/7 isn't really an option (parents endure too many sleepless nights already), there are steps that may make cribs, playpens and bassinets injury-free places. "Unlike other child products that require adult supervision for their safe use, cribs, playpens and bassinets must be held to a higher standard because we expect parents to leave their child unattended in them and walk away with peace of mind," said Dr. Smith, also a Professor of Pediatrics at The Ohio State University College of Medicine.

In light of this recent safety study, cribs are still considered to be the safest place for infants to sleep. To minimize the risk of injury take these steps into account when selecting and using a crib:

When selecting a crib:

• Make sure it meets all all current safety standards and is not old, broken or modified.
• Avoid cribs with cutouts, decorative corner posts or knobs that stick up more than 1/16th of an inch.
• Measure the slats to make sure they are not more than 2 and 3/8 inches apart.
• Visit www.recalls.gov to make sure the crib has not been recalled.
• Insure the mattress fits tightly into the crib, using the two finger rule: If you can fit more than two fingers between the mattress and the crib, you need a bigger one.
• Frequently examine the crib to make sure it is in good repair and that there are no loose parts.
• Read and follow all assembly instructions

Make changes to the crib as your child develops:

• Once your child can push up on his hands and knees or is 5 months old (whichever occurs first), remove all mobiles and hanging toys.
• When your child can pull herself up or stand, adjust the mattress to the lowest position. Having the crib sides at least 26 inches above the mattress can help prevent falls.
• Check the manufacturer's instructions to know when your child will outgrow the crib. This generally occurs when your child reaches 35 inches in height
• If using a bassinet or playpen, make sure they have a sturdy, wide base and that your child meets all height and weight limits. See our reports on play yards and portable cribs to help select one.

One last note: Children can't grow in bubble wrap, but they can flourish as long as we take precautions and don't embrace the fear that the bombardment of recall notices and safety studies tend to incite. Acknowledge, act and move on -- hopefully, by wrapping your child in your arms.