June 29, 2012 — The Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) has approved new guidelines to the manufacturers of portable cribs and play yards (also known as “pack-and-plays”). The new guidelines will help improve the safety of play yards and prevent child injuries and deaths. Since 1989, there have been 20 recalls of play yards and numerous deaths. Between November 2007 and December 2011, there have been 170 injuries and 60 deaths attributed to play yards.
Manufacturers will be required to conduct the following safety tests before they can market their product:
- A stability test to ensure the play yard cannot tip over, which could trap a child
- Latch and lock mechanisms to prevent the play yard from folding up while there is a child inside
- Tests to ensure a child’s head cannot get trapped while there is an accessory attached to the crib
- Floor strength tests
- Minimum side height requirements to prevent children from escaping and injuring themselves
- A test to prevent foldable cribs from making a V-shape or diamond, which could trap a child’s head or neck
Some parents are upset over one safety provision, which would have required manufacturers to make it tougher to assemble a play yard that is missing parts. A year ago, a 3-month-old girl suffocated when her bassinet attached to the play crib detached and tilted, pushing her face into the mesh side of the play yard.
Lobbying groups for the manufacturers argued that they needed more time to enact this provision, and the CPSC agreed. Then, the trade group sent a letter accusing the CPSC of violating the law by not soliciting public comment regarding that provision. A public commenting period would further push back enacting the provision.
The CPSC has stricken the provision from the new safety requirements. Now, the issue will be dealt with separately.
Do I have a Play Yard Injury Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting play yard induced injury cases in all 50 states. If your child has been injured by a defective play yard, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Product Liability Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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