|
|
CPSC Votes to Develop Standard for Portable Bed Rails September 21, 2000
|
SourceUnited States Consumer Product Safety CommissionForumsHealth, Safety, Nutrition and KidsRelated ArticlesA Consumer Guide to Product Safety RecallsCPSC Hotline Information For Immediate Release; |
 |
|
|
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) voted unanimously today to begin the development of a mandatory safety standard for portable bed rails. The Commission will publish an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) to require that bed rails not present entrapment and strangulation hazards to young children. Portable bed rails are intended for use on adult beds to help prevent children from falling out of bed. Since 1990, CPSC has learned of 14 deaths to children, most of whom were under 2 years of age, who became entrapped in a space between the bed rail and the mattress. CPSC is also aware of 40 "near-miss" incidents. Although most manufacturers label their bed rails for children ages 2 through 5, and while CPSC warns against placing younger children to sleep on adult beds, parents sometimes put children under 2 on beds when a crib is not available. If the bed rail is pushed out from the mattress, a younger child can fall into the space and suffocate or strangle. The vote comes after the industry failed to take voluntary action and address the problem. CPSC Chairman Ann Brown said, "Bed rails should keep kids from falling out of bed, but they shouldn't create the danger of entrapment and strangulation. That's why we need a safety standard for bed rails." CPSC staff believes a change in the design of portable bed rails could eliminate the danger. The ANPR will be published soon in the Federal Register and will be followed by a comment period. There are two more steps before a standard could become final. (Statements by Commissioners Thomas H. Moore and Mary Sheila Gall are available through CPSC's Office of the Secretary at (301) 504-0800.) |