Crib Bumper Pad Safety Questioned
CHICAGO (CBS4) - A new analysis is calling into question the use of baby bumper pads in cribs.
The Chicago Tribune found that the Consumer Product Safety Commission has not investigated at least 17 deaths that had reports on file suggesting bumper pads played a role in the deaths.
The Tribune found that medical examiners and coroners often said bumper pads were involved in the suffocation deaths of the children, but the CPSC is just now trying to decide if the nursery products are safe.
In South Florida, some parenting classes do recommend that you do not use bumpers because of the suffocation risk.
The bumpers are popular nursery products that often come with sheet sets for cribs. The American Academy of Pediatrics and other groups are already telling parents not to use bumpers due to the possibility of suffocation.
The Tribune said it found officials have "investigated at least a dozen deaths where bumpers appeared to play a role."
The newspaper said the CPSC has said bumper were not clearly the culprit because other factors like blankets and pillows were also in the crib.
"It's a potential hazard, so don't have it in the child's environment," said Dr. Marion Burton, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics. "I can't think of any reason to have them."
