Organic Baby Home • Nursery Decor • Safe Crib Sets

6 Rules for Safe Crib Sets

With the growing number of convertible crib sets on the market, the furniture you buy for the nursery could be used until she leaves for college. However, when planning this aspect of nursery decor think versatility, but also think safety.

Always consider safety when purchasing Crib Sets

Avoid cribs with a drop-down rail feature. They were recently involved in one of the largest recalls in history.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission pulled nearly 5 million cribs off the market because of the number of serious injuries and crib deaths that happen in them.
Avoid furniture made from synthetic materials such as press board and plastic containers because they give off formaldehyde gas.
Natural wood furniture is a less toxic alternative for baby cribs, dressers and changing tables. In addition to the raw materials, find out what the finish is made with.
If you are inheriting baby room furniture, consider buying a new crib to match. You want to be sure can be that it meets the most up to date safety requirements. You could also buy an unfinished crib and then stain or paint it the same as your heirloom set.
Kim Rider, interior designer and author of Organic Baby: Simple Steps for Healthy Living, suggests applying a few coats of non-toxic water based wood finish to seal unfinished or heirloom furniture.

If you've already purchased your furniture, this is a good way to combat the toxins without worrying about returns and picking out another style of furniture.
Even after your baby has started to sleep in his crib. Stay on top of crib recalls by visiting the Consumer Product Safety Commission or the About.com Toddler website.