For parents out there like my wife and I concerned about infant sleeping risks, and especially crib bumpers, the wait is now over for independent data and answers!
On September 9th 2016, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Division of Hazard Analysis (EPHA) staff published a study two years in the making. This took a deep look at the safety benefits of crib bumpers/alternatives, incident data involving crib bumpers, and made both conclusions and recommendations.
The full 154 page report can be found HERE. If you want a summary, read on below! As a preface, as parents and a company focused on safety, we believe that even 1 infant fatality is 1 too many. So as a company, we’re focused on providing and advocating for safer environments for children. And without further ado, a summary of the CPSC’s EPHA report:
Safety benefits of crib bumpers/alternatives:
Incident data involving crib bumpers between January 1990 to March 2016:
Conclusions:
So with this comprehensive government led analysis, the data is now known, and recommendations have been made to continue partnership with the ASTM Infant Bedding SubCommittee to create additional product performance standards, and consumer education about the dangers of loose bedding or items in the sleeping environment.
Our mission at Bitzy Baby continues. We look forward to supporting and implementing the CPSC’s ASTM Infant Bedding standards recommendations, as the SubCommittee’s Task Group Lead. And we're also thrilled to offer parents our safer product alternative to support the struggle with safe infant sleeping.
I’ll continue to guest blog with updates on how we’re developing and implementing important changes to the ASTM Infant Bedding standards, and be your voice on the SubCommittee.
In Service,
Seabren