Study Shows Thousands of Toddlers Fall Victim to Crib Injuries Each Year

More toddlers experience crib injuries than we might think.

According to a recent study, nearly 10,000 children in the U.S. younger than 2 arrive in emergency rooms due to injuries incurred in cribs, playpens, and bassinets (as reported by Bloomberg Businessweek).

The lead researcher, Gary A. Smith, was surprised at the number of crib-related injuries that affected toddlers, and he was quick to point out that those figures were actually an underestimate. He pointed out that there were many more cases of toddlers and crib-injuries, but that many of them visited primary care practitioners and urgent care centers as well as hospital emergency rooms.

According to the study, two-thirds of cases involving cribs, playpens, and bassinets were caused by toddlers falling out. The head and the neck were the areas that experienced the most crib injuries.

As the lead researcher points out, "Children at that age are top-heavy, so when they fall they fall head first and don't have the ability to break their fall these injuries can be serious."

Toddlers and Crib Injuries: Safety Tips

According to the researcher, crib-related injuries become more of a risk when toddlers start to become more mobile. Once a child can pull himself up, there is increased chance of falling out when he tries to climb out.

The researcher recommended at least 26 inches of height between the mattress and the top of the crib. And when the child reaches 35 inches tall, it's time to put him in a toddler bed.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission offers additional tips of crib safety. Tips include placing the baby on his/her back in the crib, and using a sleeper instead of a blanket.

As for the crib itself, the USCPSC recommends making sure that there are no improperly installed screws or parts of the crib. It's also important the mattress is tight-fitting and firm and that there are no cutouts in the headboard or foot board. That way, there is less chance of the baby's head getting trapped.

As for choosing the crib, HealthyChildren.org recommends that purchasing cribs that have the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) certification.