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Ban looming on drop-side crib?
Major crib manufacturers have agreed to a proposal that would impose a ban on drop-side cribs in the U.S. From the Chicago Tribune:
In addition to the drop-side ban, the ASTM is voting on additional requirements, including a new static load test for crib slats, Daddytypes reports.
What will this likely ban mean to the consumer? Traditional drop-side cribs would no longer be available for purchase new, and used outlets would likely stop accepting and selling them as well rather than face potential scrutiny from a newly-invigorated CPSC. Future cribs will have to have all four sides fixed to each other. In order to facilitate crib use by parents who are short, like me, one side of the crib will be allowed to fold down to allow for easier access to the baby.
As the Tribune article mentions, numerous safety tests were developed for the cribs, but testing often failed to predict eventual failures of the drop mechanisms, the cause of many crib recalls over the past several years. - Sara I.
Cribmakers, government regulators and consumer advocates advanced the proposal Tuesday at the twice-yearly meeting where they review and revise voluntary safety standards at the suburban Philadelphia headquarters of ASTM International, a standards organization. The proposal now goes to a broader group of ASTM members for a vote. Others could derail the drop-side ban, but they would have to persuade major cribmakers to change their mind.
Manufacturers in the past have rejected proposals that restrict their designs, preferring instead to mandate tests to detect hazards. However, many of the more than 3 million cribs recalled in the last two years for problems with drop-side railings passed the tests required under safety standards but still failed in consumers' homes....
A ban on the most common form of drop-side railings would level the playing field among cribmakers - enabling them to stop making the product without losing market share.
In addition to the drop-side ban, the ASTM is voting on additional requirements, including a new static load test for crib slats, Daddytypes reports.
What will this likely ban mean to the consumer? Traditional drop-side cribs would no longer be available for purchase new, and used outlets would likely stop accepting and selling them as well rather than face potential scrutiny from a newly-invigorated CPSC. Future cribs will have to have all four sides fixed to each other. In order to facilitate crib use by parents who are short, like me, one side of the crib will be allowed to fold down to allow for easier access to the baby.
As the Tribune article mentions, numerous safety tests were developed for the cribs, but testing often failed to predict eventual failures of the drop mechanisms, the cause of many crib recalls over the past several years. - Sara I.
Photo by jessicafm, shared via Flickr
Thank goodness im done and on my last bed. Because being below 5 foot, I love the drop side. Even at the tallest level on the matress I couldn’t lay my sleeping babies in without having it dropped down. Now I have it on the Lowest setting on the one I have now for my LO and I have to have it dropped down and a step stool to put her down. Sucks to be short.
I am 5 foot 5 and on the top setting of our crib, I still can’t lay my 5 mo old down without him waking up. I figure I am going to need a stool (dangerous) for when I have to lower the mattress. So NOT looking forward to that!
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Baby Bargains Book’s blog has some interesting observations on the proposed ban too.
Very importantly that drop-side cribs tend to be priced lower than static side cribs (which often convert to full sized bed frames).
I LOVE our drop-side crib (even though I’m average/tall). It makes it a lot easier to lower in a sleeping kiddo without waking them. Plus, our oldest slept in a crib until age 3 (his choice). Those extra inches matter when you’re repetitively lifting a larger child.