A: Every crib sold today, regardless of the retailer, must comply with these new regulations; all retailers are now required to sell only cribs that meet these safety standards. All Delta Children cribs produced from April 2010 are all fully compliant.
A safe crib is one that has been purchased new, certified by the manufacturer as compliant with CPSC requirements through 3rd party testing and through the JPMA (Juvenile Products Manufacturer's Association). Any used cribs that were produced prior to the release of the new crib safety regulations on June 28, 2011 may not meet these standards, and can prove to be dangerous to your child, especially due to improper storage and maintenance.
Do not purchase second-hand or used cribs, since you may be unaware if the crib was properly assembled, handled and stored.
Q: What are the June 28, 2011 New Crib Safety Standard Regulations?
A: The new federal crib safety regulations, which apply to both full and non-full size cribs, prohibit the sales of traditional drop-side cribs, including those from retailers, thrift stores, and websites. In addition, these new regulations require more rigorous testing of all cribs, and the strengthening of crib slats, mattress support, and hardware.
Delta Children's internal crib testing standards go above and beyond those recommended by the CPSC, JPMA, and even the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). We have seven testing facilities around the world that are dedicated to ensuring the quality and safety of our cribs and other products.
For a glimpse of our New Jersey testing facility, view this ABC Good Morning America segment.
Q: When should nursery furniture be assembled?
A: We recommend assembling nursery furniture at least one month prior to the baby's expected due date. This gives you ample time to put the furniture together and order any missing or additional parts without having to rush.
Q: Where should the crib be placed in a nursery or room?
A: The ideal spot to place a crib is in the center of the room, because it is away from the walls, windows, or any other areas that could potentially be hazardous to your baby. In smaller rooms, cribs should be placed away from any windows, and nothing should be hanging from the walls or surrounding areas.
A: Essentially, you want to create an environment that is clean and clutter-free.
Growing babies can surprise you with their development, so it is important not to take any chances. They can go from sitting to standing before you know it, and will eventually learn how to walk, roll over, and grab things that were once out of reach.
Anything that your baby may be able to grab, get tangled in, or grow to reach should be placed well way from the crib to avoid any potentially hazardous situations. Examples include extension cords, window accessories such as drapes, curtains, or rods, lamp chords, and baby monitors.
Q: When is the best time for parents to transition their child from a crib to a toddler bed?
A: When your child reaches 35 inches, or begins to start climbing out of the crib, it’s time to transition to a toddler bed. Delta Children offers many cribs which meet or exceed the new safety standard and convert into toddler beds. Contact our Customer Care department at 800-377-3777 for the correct and up-to-date parts and instructions.
If you're interested in finding out more about your crib and crib safety, visit these links:
CPSC.gov – Consumer Products and Safety Commission
JPMA.org – Juvenile Products Manufacturer's Association
ASTM.org – American Society for Testing and Materials