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FAMILY AND COMMUNITY HEALTH
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New Regulations Will Ban Crib Bumpers in Maryland
Following an 18-month investigation into the safety of baby crib bumper pads, the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) has published final regulations to ban their sale in Maryland effective June 21, 2013.
The action follows the Department’s conclusion that baby crib bumper pads, intended for infants up to the age of five or six months, offer no meaningful benefit and pose a potentially serious risk to infant health. The Maryland chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Med Chi, and numerous safety experts agreed with this conclusion and urged the Department to prohibit the sale of these products. Maryland’s Chief Medical Examiner has found that crib bumper pads pose a risk of suffocation and death.
PROTOCOL FOR CONSIDERATION OF PETITIONS
The Department has received requests related to whether certain commercially available products are “baby bumper pads,” as defined in COMAR 10.11.07.01(B)(2). Interested persons may petition the Department, in accordance with COMAR 10.01.12, for a declaratory ruling on whether a particular product is a “baby bumper pad.” The Department will consider such requests according to this
protocol for submitting a petition for a declaratory ruling
.
The ban on baby bumper pads does not
apply to vertical bumpers that wrap tightly around each individual crib rail or mesh crib liners. The Department nonetheless does not recommend the use of these novel products.
Families are reminded that
babies sleep best alone, on their backs, and in a crib.
MORE INFORMATION ON CRIB BUMPER SALES IN MARYLAND
Final Regulations Banning Crib Bumper Sales in Maryland.
Crib Bumper Regulations Q & A
Final Crib Bumper Regulations
Testimony by Secretary Sharfstein on Baby Bumper Pads
Responses to Comments on Proposed Regulations
Press Release
June 8, 2012: MDH Proposes Regulations to Ban Crib Bumper Sales in Maryland
Press release
Questions and Answers
Crib Bumper Regulations
Special Document
Request for Public Comment: ASTM International Standard Consumer Safety Performance Specification for Infant Bedding and Related Accessories
Background
Public Input Requested on Crib Bumpers
Maryland Register Notice
Public Comments
Panel Members
Past Meetings and Materials
May 20, 2011
AgendaMay20
Panel Questions
Transcript May 20
Resource Information
July 13, 2011
AgendaJuly13
CPSC White Paper - Hazards Associated with the Infant Sleep Environment and Unsafe Practices Used by Caregivers: A CPSC Staff Perspective
Letter to the Secretary from JPMA
JPMA - Crib Bumpers and the Infant Sleeping Environment: An Evaluation of the Scientific Evidence
Transcript July 13
Additional Materials
Follow up Letter to the Secretary from JPMA
ASTM Standards for Infant Bedding
ASTM Standards Updates for Infant Bedding as of 8.15.11
Updated 01/2013
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