New federal safety standards took effect this week requiring manufacturers and importers of infant and toddler play yards to test and adhere to the stricter safety measures.
Play yards included in the new standards are framed enclosures with a floor and mesh or fabric side panels. Many are easily folded for storage or travel.
To meet the new safety standards, play yards must have three improved features:
– Side rails may not form a sharp V when product is folded. This prevents a child from strangling in the side rail.
– Stronger corner brackets to help prevent sharp-edged cracks and side-rail collapses.
– They must have sturdier mattress attachments to the play floor yard to prevent children from getting trapped or injured.
The new play yard safety standards are one of the many new standards the consumer product safety commission has passed as part of the Danny Keysar Child Product Safety Notification Act or “Danny’s Law.” Danny Keysar died in Chicago in 1998 when a previously recalled play yard he was napping in collapsed, suffocating him.
The CPSC has already issued mandatory safety standards for cribs, children’s bed rails, baby bath seats, baby walkers, infant swings and toddler beds. The staff is currently working on safety standards for bedside sleepers, hand-held infant carriers, bassinets and bassinet attachments to play yards. They plan on announcing rules later this year for strollers, soft infant carriers and infant swings.
If your loved one has suffered a serious injury or your loved one was killed while using an unsafe baby product, you may want to discuss your case with an injury lawyer. Call today for your free, initial consultation.