More than 5 million cribs, bassinets and play yards have been recalled in the last two years

Babies spend much of their time sleeping; therefore, the nursery should be the safest room in the house. Check to see if your crib has been recalled. Since the beginning of 2007, more than 5 million cribs, play yards and bassinets have been recalled.

With any crib, bassinet or play yard, following a few simple rules will keep babies sleeping safely and will give parents a better night’s sleep:

• To prevent suffocation, never place pillows or thick quilts in a baby’s sleep environment. Also, make sure there are no gaps larger than two fingers between the sides of the crib and the mattress.

• Proper assembly of cribs is paramount - Follow the instructions provided and make sure that every part is installed correctly. If you are not sure, call the manufacturer for assistance.

• Do not use old, broken or modified cribs - Infants can strangle to death if their bodies pass through gaps between loose components or broken slats while their heads remain entrapped.

• Properly set up play yards according to manufacturers’ directions. Only use the mattress pad provided with the play yard; do not add extra padding.

• Never place a crib near a window with blind or curtain cords; babies can strangle on curtain or blind cords.

Safety Poster

A poster, "Keep Your Baby Safe - A Checklist For Safe Sleeping For Your Baby", is available for download in PDF.