Crib Safety Notice – New Law Effective June 28th, 2011

Crib safety standards will change effective June 28, 2011 per the federal Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008. The new mandatory crib standards will: (1) stop the manufacture and sale of dangerous, traditional drop-side cribs; (2) make mattress supports stronger; (3) make crib hardware more durable; and (4) make safety testing more rigorous. All cribs manufactured, sold, or leased in the US must meet these new standards.

Effective June 28, 2011 all newly licensed foster homes, who want to take placement of children who require a crib, must have cribs that meet these standards. Foster homes that renew their license for this age group are not required to replace their cribs. However, information about the new crib safety standards should be provided to foster homes when they renew their license. The federal legislation does not address crib replacement for foster homes.

The Foster Home Licensing Checklist (DSHS 10-183) will continue to read “Crib meets all safety requirements.” You cannot tell from a visual inspection of a crib if it meets the new standards; buyers may ask the retailer if the crib meets the new standards PRIOR to June 28, 2011. Cribs sold after June 28th should meet the standards.

Information about the new crib standards will be going to foster parents in their annual self assessment training insert. We will also include this information on the foster parent website.

Thank you!