The State of Maryland Wants to Ban the Sale of Baby Crib Bumpers
Baby crib bumpers are probably in your baby's crib right now. They are colorful and a decorating trend that has meant a lot of money for the manufacturers of those bumpers. If you live in the State of Maryland, you may not be able to buy them in the future. Maryland health officials are pushing for a ban on the sale of those baby bumpers. They look nice, but they are potentially dangerous.
There have been at least two dozen infant deaths across the United States because of these bumpers. The infants died of asphyxiation due to the bumpers being in their cribs. Two dozen deaths are two dozen too many senseless deaths. There are so many things to worry about when you have an infant, baby crib bumpers should not be one of them. If they cannot be sold, then out of sight out of mind and baby is out of danger. You won't have to worry about your baby dying from asphyxiation if you cannot buy baby crib bumpers.
The State of Maryland is asking the public for comments regarding this issue. The comments of the public will be reviewed before a formal recommendation to stop the sale of bumpers. The law would go into effect January 2013.
You know darn well that the manufacturers of these items are going to say that they are safe if used properly. So is a stick of dynamite, but do you want to take that risk when it comes to your baby?
As reported in the Baltimore Sun, Dr. David Fowler, chief medical examiner for Maryland, said the bumpers don't even have to touch the infant's face for the child to asphyxiate. The closeness of pads, pillows and other items can prevent the air from flowing, and an infant can use up the available oxygen close by.
"Objects can cut off the refreshing of air, and they only have to be close to restrict air flow," he said.
If the ban on the sale of baby crib bumpers passes, Maryland will be the first state to take such action. Maryland is not waiting around for the federal government to take action and you shouldn't either. If you have an infant, do not use this product. If you know someone who uses baby crib bumpers tell them that they are dangerous and not necessary. Help save a life; get rid of baby crib bumpers.
Public comments are being accepted until November 5, 2012. If you would like to comment, you can find the necessary address and phone numbers here.
Source:
The Baltimore Sun
Published by Abby Greenhill
Abby is a retired Administrative Assistant. She is a pet lover who has many years experience as a dog owner. She loves to take road trips anywhere up and down the East Coast and tries to stay current on ne... View profile
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21 Comments
Post a CommentGood analogy with the dynamite.
Good report on this issue.
Very controversial as I remember infants getting their limbs caught in cribs before the bumpers came out.
I always used them, but I've heard that they are very dangerous.
Now I'm going to worry.
Great information and very well-written!!
Great info!
Great info!
I would need to see all the research and statistics before I made a final decision for or against bumpers. Yes 2 dozen innocent deaths is senseless and heartbreaking, but when compared to the millions of bumpers that have been used over so many years one has to think that there may possibly be other factors besides just the bumper. All too often people readily jump to the first or nearest conclusion without taking in each and every variable, per each situation. No matter how small, a variable can affect the final outcome in a major way. We didn't have bumpers the cribs of our 3 children for aesthetic purposes, it was to protect them from the bars. We also made sure we didn't leave a bunch of other stuff in the crib. Just the baby and perhaps a small, light baby blanket.
Bumpers prevent babies from getting their arms and legs stuck between the crib slats and prevent possible breaks! I sit for an 5 month old and if a bumper is properly secured, I don't see the problem. I've gone up a couple times and found the baby screaming because his leg is twisted in the crib slats. So what's the solution if we ban bumpers?