KEEPING BABIES SAFE IS ASKING YOU TO JOIN US IN SUPPORTING
FEDERAL CRIB SAFETY LEGISLATION!

WHY?

• Every year approximately 26 infants die and another 11,500 are hospitalized from injuries sustained in cribs.
• Most crib deaths occur in secondhand or hand-me-down cribs. Nearly 4 million infants are born in the U.S. every year, but just over one million new cribs are sold. Thus, many infants are placed in used cribs.
• Cribs are the only baby products manufactured expressly for leaving a child unattended. Therefore, every necessary measure should be taken to ensure that the crib is the safest possible environment.

DON’T CRIB SAFETY STANDARDS ALREADY EXIST?

• Existing federal and industry voluntary crib safety guidelines have been effective in addressing most safety hazards associated with new cribs. CPSC estimates these standards prevent as many as 240 deaths annually.
• Standards and guidelines apply only to new cribs, not to the sale or commercial use of second-hand cribs. As mentioned above, most crib deaths occur in secondhand or hand-me-down cribs.
• Ten states (AZ, AR, CA, CO, IL, LA, MI, MN, OR, PA, VT, WA) have already adopted legislation that would make it illegal to manufacture or sell a crib that does not meet current safety standards. But children in every state deserve this basic protection.

HOW WILL FEDERAL CRIB SAFETY LEGISLATION HELP?

• Keeps unsafe secondhand or hand-me-down cribs out of the stream of commerce by prohibiting their sale, resale, lease, use in lodging facilities, use in day care centers, etc.
• Adds secondhand cribs to the list of child and infant products covered by the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, the law that already applies to new cribs and other children’s products.
• Focuses on “commercial users,” not individuals with cribs at a garage or yard sale.

WHAT ARE THE PROPOSED PENALTIES?
The Consumer Product Safety Commission will enforce the Act under its existing authority to regulate product safety standards.

Civil Penalties:
For “knowing” violations: up to $7,000 for each violation with a maximum penalty of $1.65 million for a related series of violations. The maximum penalties are adjustable for inflation.

Criminal Penalties:
Fines for Individuals:
Up to $100,000 for a misdemeanor not resulting in death;
Up to $250,000 for a misdemeanor resulting in death;
Up to $250 for a felony.

Fines for Organizations:
Up to $200,000 for a misdemeanor not resulting in death
Up to $500,000 for a misdemeanor resulting in death
Up to $500,000 for a felony