10. Caution Product Use
CAUTION USE OF PRODUCTS FAST FACTS
- Just because a product is sold, does not mean safe for your baby or for sleep.
- Research baby products for recalls and safety standards.
- Do not rely on monitors to prevent sleep related deaths.
- Even when using monitors, always follow the other safe sleep recommendations.
Continue reading below to learn more…
What You Need to Know About Product Safety
Product Safety Regulations
When it comes to baby products, and especially those used for sleep, product safety regulations are essential for protecting your baby from injury and death.
Product safety regulations are developed and enforced by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The CPSC has developed specific standards for cribs, bassinets, play yards and other baby products to ensure they are safe for use. Cribs, bassinets, and play yards, must meet various safety standards such as having a firm, flat surface, and eliminating any hazards such as drop sides, loose parts, or parts likely to cause suffocation.
It is important to remember that some products marketed for babies such as padded loungers, pillows, and sleep positioners, do not have safety standards by the CPSC and are not safe for sleep.
Wearable blankets are one-piece bag-like garments that come in cotton or fleece and secure the baby into it by slipping around the arms like a shirt and zipping down towards the feet keep the baby inside. A wearable blanket allows for the baby to move around freely without the risk of the blanket getting loose and covering the baby’s face or wrapping around the baby’s neck.
However, if you do not have access to wearable blankets due to their price or because they are all soiled, the best alternative to wearable blankets are long sleeve sleepers. These sleepers also come in fleece and cotton so parents can pick the best fabric for the temperature.
Just because a product is sold to the public or has images that show a baby sleeping while using the product does not mean it is safe for your baby or for their sleep.
Product Safety Certifications
As you shop around for baby supplies, you may notice some products are certified by third party associations for safety. However, if a product claims to be “CPSC certified,” this statement is misleading at best. The Consumer Product Safety Commission plays a critical role in developing and enforcing safety regulations, but it does not certify individual products. Manufacturers are responsible for ensuring their products meet the required safety standards from the CPSC. However, meeting the required standards from the CPSC, is not the same as being certified by them.
Manufacturers are also encouraged to pursue additional testing and achieve voluntary safety standards created by organizations like ASTM International, which develops technical guidelines to enhance product safety. Many manufacturers voluntarily follow these standards to improve safety and avoid recalls.
Parents should also look for products verified by the Baby Safety Alliance (formerly Juvenile Product Manufacturing Association [JPMA]), an organization that independently tests baby products to ensure they meet or exceed safety standards.
While certifications like those from ASTM and Baby Safety Alliance are helpful indicators, they are not a substitute for informed decision-making. Always check for recalls on the CPSC website to confirm that the products you use comply with current safety regulations.
Research Baby Products & Check for Recalls
If you want to make sure a product is safe for your baby, there are a few simple steps you can follow.
Hover over with your mouse or tap the card to learn more.
If you find out the product has been recalled, follow the instructions on the recall notice. This might include returning the product, asking for a replacement, or fixing it with a repair kit. You can also register new products with the manufacturer to get updates on safety issues or recalls. By doing these quick checks, you can feel more confident that the products you use are safe for your baby.
Report Unsafe Products
If you find a product you believe is unsafe, here are the steps you should take to protect yourself, your family, and others:
Stop using the product immediately. If you notice a defect, hazard, or a situation where the product could cause harm (like loose parts, sharp edges, or suffocation risks), stop using it and keep it out of reach of children.
Check for recalls. Visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website at www.saferproducts.gov to see if the product has already been recalled. You can search by product name, brand, or category.
Report the product to the CPSC. If you don’t see a recall but believe the product is unsafe, you can file a report on the CPSC website. Provide as much information as possible, such as the product name, manufacturer, where you bought it, and details about the safety issue. Your report helps the CPSC investigate and take action if necessary.
Contact the manufacturer or retailer. Let them know about the problem. Many companies will work with you to address the issue, whether it’s a refund, replacement, or repair.
What do I do if the product is being sold by a second-hand retailer or consignment store?
If you find an unsafe product being sold in a second-hand marketplace, like Facebook Marketplace or a consignment store, it’s important to act responsibly to help protect others. Here’s what you can do:
Confirm if the product is unsafe or recalled. Check the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website (www.cpsc.gov) to see if the item has been recalled or doesn’t meet safety standards. For example, some older cribs, inclined sleepers, or padded bumpers are banned for safety reasons.
Report the product to the platform or store.
- On Facebook Marketplace or similar online platforms: Use the reporting tools to flag the item as unsafe. Provide details about why the product is dangerous, and include a link to any recall notice, if available.
- At a consignment store: Inform the store manager or staff about the issue. Most stores don’t knowingly sell recalled or unsafe products, so they may remove it once you bring it to their attention.
Share information with the seller. If possible, politely let the seller know that the product is unsafe or has been recalled. Many sellers may not realize the item poses a danger and will appreciate the information. You can share a link to the recall notice or explain why the product is no longer safe.
Report the issue to the CPSC. If the product continues to be sold after you’ve reported it, file a complaint on the CPSC website so they can investigate further.
Register Your Baby Products
When you purchase any baby products, but especially cribs, bassinets, play yards, car seats, and swings, it’s important to register them with the manufacturer. Product registration ensures that you will be notified immediately if there is a safety recall or important updates about an item.
Many recalls happen because of newly discovered risks, defects, or changes in safety standards. Without registering your product, you may not hear about these issues until the product you use for your child causes an injury or death.
Most baby products come with a registration card that you can fill out and mail in, or you can register online through the manufacturer’s website. You only need to provide basic information like your name, contact details, and the product’s model number.
By taking only a few minutes of your time, you can stay informed and avoid potential hazards ensuring the safety of your little one.
What is the Safe Sleep for Babies Act?
The Safe Sleep for Babies Act is a law that helps keep babies safe while they sleep by banning certain dangerous products. It says that inclined sleepers and padded crib bumpers cannot be sold or made anymore because they can cause suffocation or other risks to babies.
Inclined sleepers are products that let babies sleep at an angle, but this position can make it harder for them to breathe. Padded crib bumpers are soft cushions placed around the inside of a crib, but they can also block a baby’s breathing or lead to other accidents.
This law makes sure that only safe sleep products, like cribs, bassinets, or play yards with flat, firm surfaces, are available for parents to use. The goal of the Safe Sleep for Babies Act is to prevent sleep-related injuries and deaths and give parents more peace of mind.