JPMA Marks Fifteen Years of Baby Safety

Furniture World Magazine

Today marks the 15th anniversary of Baby Safety Month, sponsored by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA). The JPMA has spent 15 years helping to educate parents and other child care givers on the importance of safe use and selection of Juvenile products. This year, the JPMA is concentrating, its efforts on alerting parents to the importance of safe infant sleep practices. JPMA President William L. MacMillan said, "We completely support the position of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Alliance which states that full-term healthy infants should be placed on their backs to sleep. Current research shows that infant sleep position has dramatically impacted the number of SIDS cases. Parents should make every effort to make sure their infants are on their backs when sleeping." In addition, the JPMA reminds parents that bedding must always be used as instructed by the manufacturer to help ensure baby's safety. Parents need to remember that only a fitted crib sheet, mattress pad, and/or water proof pad should be used between the sleeping baby and the crib mattress. Quilts, comforters and blankets should never be placed under a baby. And, pillows and plush toys should only be used for decoration and should be removed from the crib while baby is sleeping. JPMA suggests that parents keep these other safety tips in mind when placing baby to sleep: Infants should always be placed on a firm mattress in a crib which meets current federal and ASTM voluntary safety standards. Baby should never be placed to sleep on soft surfaces such as pillows, soft cushions, adult beds or other surfaces not specifically designed for infant sleep. Do not overheat the baby. The temperature in the room should feel comfortable to you. "Decorating the nursery is a favorite project for new parents, friends and relatives," said MacMillan. "Parents must remember that babies spend a large amount of time sleeping in their nursery so it's important for parents to make this area as safe as possible." JPMA takes many steps to education parents about the safe use and selection of juvenile products. Consumers can visit the Web site at wwwjpma.org to see the JPMA Safety House, filled with critical safety information. In addition, JPMA produces Safe and Sound For Baby, a 20-page safety brochure which consumers can receive free by sending a self addressed business-size envelope to: JPMA Safety Brochure, 236 Route 38 West, Suite 100, Moorestown, NJ 08057.