The Cochran Firm Legal Blog

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission voted unanimously in favor of new mandatory standards for baby cribs this week. After a final vote, the new standards will go into effect next year. The standards will eliminate drop-side cribs, require better mattress support, better quality wood for construction, and sturdier hardware and get rid of these defective products.

These new standards will put most cribs in violation of the code, even if they were not considered unsafe for babies. However, this is in response to the number of serious injuries and deaths that have been associated with cribs. According to Commission Chairwoman Inez Tenenbaum, there have been 36 deaths as a direct result of structural problems with cribs.

Some of the hazards associated with cribs are gaps created due to mattress support and slats easily broken due to poor wood quality. Gaps create areas where babies can suffocate and broken slats cause them to fall out.

This also means that retailers and manufacturers cannot sell cribs already in stock that do not meet these standards. There are worries this could strain budgets, but when it comes down to it, the public demand for safer cribs is the logical choice.

While a final vote will not be taken until December of this year, there will be a period for public comments.

If your child has been injured because of a faulty crib, please contact the experienced defective product attorneys at the Cochran Firm. We serve clients nationwide.