The city of Chicago’s ban on bumper pads designed for cribs goes into effect in March. Chicago voted to ban bumper pads in the summer of 2011 in part because of an investigation by the Chicago Tribune. The investigation showed that federal agencies are not moving quickly enough to regulate the bumpers despite evidence that sleeping children can suffocate when they are too close to them.
Journal Watch Pediatrics published a 2007 report that found between 1985 and 2005 more than one child died per year in the United States because of suffocation associated with a bumper pad.
The Chicago Tribune found that federal officials have investigated more crib deaths but have not officially blamed the fatalities on the bumper pads. In other cases, death certificates have indicated a child suffocated against a bumper pad but no federal investigator looked into the connection.
The paper’s reporting inspired the Chicago City Council to act on the information and ban the sale of bumper pads in the city. City aldermen said they introduced the ordinance in part to encourage federal regulators to act. Chicago is the only city in the United States to institute such a ban.
Health officials in Maryland proposed a ban on crib bumper pads in September for that state. If Maryland legislators take up the issue, it would become the first state to do so. Officials also called for an education campaign to accompany the ban, according to the Baltimore Sun. The educational campaign will include safe sleep videos that will be shown in maternity wards. The task force advising Maryland officials concluded the bumper pads provide little safety effect, but pose a small, real death risk with asphyxiation.
The American Academy of Pediatrics warns that cribs should contain no pillow-like objects like adult blankets or stuffed animals. Target and Babies R Us both indicated that they would comply with the local laws, according to the Tribune.
Chicago’s ordinance will be enforced by the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection for the city. Retailers can expect a fine of up to $500 per violation for breaking the ordinance, according to the Tribune.
Bumper pads are sold to help prevent babies from getting their limbs trapped between the mattress and the walls of the crib. They are supposed to be firm and not pillow-like so as to prevent suffocation. The city of Chicago did not specify how it would define bumper pads for the purpose of the ban.
Paul Greenberg is a Chicago personal injury lawyer and Chicago personal injury attorney with Briskman Briskman & Greenberg. To learn more call 1.877.595.4878 or visit http://www.briskmanandbriskman.com/.
