Nearly 100,000 infants and toddlers are injured every year in crib and playpen accidents, according to a new report that evaluates the injuries for the first time. According to a study, published Thursday in the American Academy of Pediatrics’ medical journal Pediatrics, approximately 26 infants are hurt in crib and playpen accidents every year.
The study looked at crib and playpen injuries that required emergency room treatments over 19 years. Along with the staggering number of injuries, it found children aged 1-to 2 years old were most likely to be injured. Researchers attributed the age group as being old enough to start to attempt climbing out of the crib.
While the number of injuries slightly decreased from 1990 to 2008, the average number of injuries was still high, researchers said. A recent nationwide ban on drop-side cribs set to go into effect this June will likely play a large role in reducing the number of injuries, according to the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission.
The study will likely be referenced in a U.S. House subcommittee hearing on consumer product safety issues involving cribs on Thursday, according to the news report .
As a North Charleston personal injury attorney , I’m glad to see the U.S. take action on these dangerous cribs causing infant deaths. Even though the recall doesn’t take place for another half a year, I urge you to stop using these drop side cribs now to ensure child safety.
If you or a loved one has been injured from a recalled product, contact a personal injury lawyer in North Charleston .