Play Yard Safety Standards

The Consumer Product Safety Commission recently approved new Federal mandatory safety standards for play yards. Between November 2007 and December 2011, more than 2,100 incidents involving play yards were reported to the CPSC. These included 60 deaths and 170 injuries.

Mandatory requirements for play yards will include:

• Stability tests to prevent the play yard from tipping over.
• Latch and lock mechanisms to keep the play yard from folding on your child.
• Entrapment tests for attachments so your child’s head does not get trapped while the bassinet or other attachment is being used with the play yard.
• Floor strength tests to ensure structural intregrity which would prevent your child from getting trapped by the play yard floor.
• Minimum side height requirements to prevent your child from easily climbing out on her own.
• A test to prevent play yards with top rails that fold downward from using a hinge that creates a V or diamond shape when folded, which can pose an entrapment hazard.

The effective date of the mandatory play yard standards will be six months after the final rule is published in the Federal Register, which at this point has yet to be determined.

In addition to play yards, the CPSC has issued mandatory safety standards for cribs, children’s bed rails, baby bath seats, baby walkers and toddler beds. More info can be obtained at www.cpsc.gov.