GRAND Magazine - July/August 2013 - (Page 24-25)

Over 11 million cribs have been recalled since 2007 new grandparents Is baby’s wee bed safe? New crib safety standards every grandparent should know By Laura Nikolovska A recent study found that many grandparents don’t know the latest child safety guidelines. For example, almost 50% of grandparents polled thought it was safe for babies to sleep with soft bedding and stuffed animals; in fact, those items pose a suffocation hazard. About 33% said babies should sleep on their stomachs and 23% said on their sides. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), infants should be placed on their backs to help prevent SIDS. (Click here for more Safe Sleep Tips.) That’s why Kids In Danger (KID), a nonprofit organization focused on child product safety, started the Debby Sayah Grandparent Outreach Program. Debby was the happy grandmother of twins Andy and Jake. In 2001, Andy, just 2 months old, was killed by an infant sleep positioner. Marketed as an aid to help prevent sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), the product actually poses a suffocation risk and should not be used. Laura Nikolovska came to Kids in Danger in September 2012, after five years in the education sector, as a teacher and as an education advisor in the Peace Corps. 24 GRAND July August 2013 A major area of concern is cribs, including portable cribs used for visits to the grandparents’ house. When purchasing a crib, make sure it meets these safety standards: The sides do not drop down. (Drop-side cribs are now illegal in the United States.) The crib is new or was manufactured after 2011, and has not been recalled. The sides are at least 26 inches above the mattress at its lowest position. The mattress is tight-fitting (two fingers cannot fit between the mattress and sides). You cannot fit a soda can between the crib slats. The crib has no corner post extensions or decorative cut-outs. All hardware is in place and tight, and none is protruding. Joints and parts fit tightly. The wood/metal is smooth and free of splinters/ burrs. The finish (paint or stain/varnish) is lead-free and not cracked or peeling. Click on Crib Product Hazards for more information. July August 2013 GRAND 25 http://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/pages/Many-Grandparent-Caregivers-Unaware-of-Newer-Safety-Guidelines.aspx?nfstatus=401&nftoken=00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000&nfstatusdescription=ERROR%3a+No+local+token http://www.kidsindanger.org/docs/fact_flyer/Safe_Sleep_Tips.pdf http://www.kidsindanger.org/ http://www.kidsindanger.org/grandparents http://www.kidsindanger.org/ http://www.kidsindanger.org/ http://www.kidsindanger.org/product-hazards/cribs/

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of GRAND Magazine - July/August 2013

GRAND Magazine - July/August 2013
Contents
Transforming Retirement
The Thrill Is Gone. Not.
Falling in Lust Again
Nana-to-Be Showers
Is Baby’s Wee Bed Safe?
When Harry Meets Baby
10 Steps to a Child-Proof House
Confessions of a Slightly Controlling, Madly in Love Nana
All About Baby!
Smart Ways to Save for Your Grandchildren’s College
The Low-Down on Five Stand-Out Vehicles
Let the Games Begin!
Hot Toys for Cool Kids!
Picking Berries with Granddad
Fun in the Sun!
Picking Up Where We Left Off
A Bond So Deep

GRAND Magazine - July/August 2013