Guest post by Laura Nikolovska, Program Director for Kids in Danger (KID), a Chicago-based non-profit dedicated to improving children’s product safety.
How safe is your state’s child care product safety rules?
Most states have recently worked to change the rules on background checks for child care workers or immunization requirements for child care centers, but what about child product safety rules? Do you know if your state allows child care facilities to use dangerous products? KID highlights a few examples of states that are looking out for your children in their child care.
Recalled children’s products prohibited in child care
The danger: According to a Kids In Danger (KID) report, from 2005-2014 recalled children’s products caused at least 2,464 injuries and 57 deaths. There are more than enough sad stories of children that lost their lives to a recalled product in their child care. With a simple rule change many states have sought to make sure your children are safe.
Some states that ban recalled products: Illinois, Louisiana, New Jersey and Texas.
Some states that allow them: Delaware, Georgia, Indiana and Nevada.
Walkers prohibited in child care
The danger: There is hardly a risk that walkers don’t pose to infants. It allows infants to get into things they normally can’t reach—counter tops and stairs are dangerously tempting for youngsters in walkers—which leads to poison, fall, and impact hazards. Then there are the development delays that mean that baby takes longer to learn walk and stand on their own.
Some states that ban walkers: Alaska, Arizona, Iowa and Rhode Island.
Some states that allow them: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware and Florida.
Crib bumper pads prohibited in child care
The danger: The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend that everyone remove crib bumpers from their children’s cribs for good measure. Bumpers pose a suffocation, strangulation, and fall hazard and have been linked to dozens of infant deaths. Some states have taken this warning to heart and set down rules to protect your children.
Some states that ban crib bumper pads: Alabama, Connecticut, Montana and Wisconsin.
Some states that allow them: Florida, Iowa, New York, and South Dakota.
As you can see, every state handles child care product safety a little differently. If you have any concerns about these rules or if you have something to add about your state’s child care product safety, then feel free to comment or visit KidsInDanger.org today to learn more.