Children’s bedside guardrail safety bag! Taiwan Bureau of Standards and Inspection: Do not use guardrails for those "under 18 months of age"

Author＼Aibao Parent-Child Network

※The products discussed in this product safety article are "double-size bed rails and bed rails" for children over 18 months old, not "Baby crib, bed rails".

Approximately 3,500 infants die in the United States each year due to unsafe sleeping conditions, including entrapment, suffocation, or strangulation. In recent years, there have been incidents in Taiwan where infants and young children were using it. A gap was created between the bed rails and the mattress when the infant collided with it, causing the chest to be compressed and unable to free itself, causing suffocation. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infants under 2 years old be prohibited from using bed rails.

Reports on safety concerns related to bed rails:

1. A baby boy was "stuck" by a bed guardrail, and the manufacturer and distributor were compensated NT$4.4 million (2019-11-04) ( link is external）

2. Evaluation of baby bedside and bed rails. If you don’t pay attention to these, you will become a killer in minutes! (2019-04-12) (link is external)

3. An unsafe bed guardrail killed a baby boy, and the person in charge was sentenced to six months in prison (2016-06-04) (link is external)

Q1. How to judge whether a child needs this product? Do parents need to buy more?

If you are worried about your child falling off the bed while sleeping, which will affect your sleep, you may consider using children's bed rails. The right choice can help your child transition from a crib to a regular bed and prevent your child from falling off the bed while sleeping and getting hurt. The following summarizes the purposes of using bed rails:

1. Safety: To prevent children from falling when they turn over, especially for children who have just transitioned from a crib to a large bed. Falling under the bed is a terrifying experience, and may This will make it more difficult for them to adapt to a large bed.

2. Reassurance: Help children overcome psychological barriers during the transition period. Bed rails make children feel more secure, but they may also make children feel restrained.

3. Get a good night's sleep: You don't have to get up late at night to hold a crying child who fell out of bed, which can ensure that your sleep is not interrupted.

Recommended reading: "Crib stuck" scares mothers! How many centimeters apart are the railings safe? (Video attached)

Q2. What are the common types of anti-fall fences?

1. Pillow pillow, inflatable, portable travel bed pillow:

Like long pillows, the bottom usually has non-slip material, which can form a soft barrier. It is not too bulky, and the inflatable bed rails are suitable for storage. It is simple to install, easy to carry and very comfortable. Its cover is washable. The purpose of this type of bed fence is to enhance the child's sense of security.

2. Adjustable and foldable bed rails:

Adjustable bed rails are lighter and can be quickly detached, adjusted in height, and stretched to suit the size of the mattress as needed. Foldable bed rails are easy to store, and some can be lowered directly, making them suitable for those who need to use them occasionally.

3. Large-size bed rails:

Suitable for parents who sleep with their children, need a large space, or do not want to have gaps for their children to climb out. The disadvantages are large size, poor portability and adjustability. Locking the bed rails in place at night provides a sturdy barrier that can be unlocked and removed during the day when getting in and out of bed and making the bed.

Q3. Is there anything special that needs to be paid attention to when purchasing?

1. Size:

Confirm the length, width and height of the mattress. The height is the most important. It is recommended to be at least 16 cm. If the overall height of the bed is not high enough, some styles of bed rails may touch the ground when lowered.

2. Bed type:

It is recommended to go to the store to inquire about the actual operation. Just looking at the photos on the Internet may not be accurate. Some bed bottoms may have installation concerns, and you need to install them after installation. Test the stability to prevent the child from leaning on the bed rails and falling off the bed together with the bed rails, possibly causing injuries. A lightweight mattress may not weigh enough to stabilize the bed rails. In addition, a dented bed may create a gap between the bed and the bed rails when children pass by. There have been cases of babies getting stuck in the gap between the bed and the bed guardrails and suffocating to death, so special attention must be paid.

3. Material:

Don’t just choose a cute shape. For example, you should consider that wooden bed rails look beautiful, but they are easy to stain and are relatively heavy. Mesh feels lighter but is not as durable as canvas or plastic panel materials. Also, make sure there are no sharp edges, toxic materials, or other rough, uneven surfaces that could harm your child. One of the considerations is to choose a transparent mesh design so that you can observe the children's movements at any time.

Recommended reading: Why does Montessori education use floor beds instead of cribs?

Q4. When purchasing, what markings should be paid attention to on the outer packaging?

1. Instructions: The font instructions should be clear. Before use, you should read the applicable age, warnings and precautions, usage methods and other information in detail, and use it in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions or recommended mattress specifications, sizes and thicknesses. .

2. Completely indicate the place of origin and inspection mark:

Q5. A simple comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of various types of anti-fall fences?

Q6 Does my baby need it? At what age does a baby need an anti-fall crib bumper?

1. It is prohibited for use by children under 2 years old in the United States, and it is prohibited for use by children under 18 months in the United Kingdom.

2. The Taiwan Bureau of Standards and Inspection recommends that "children under 18 months old" should use cribs and not use bedside guardrails to avoid danger.

What are the safety reminders for using Q7?

1. The use of bed rails is not necessary. It can be different for each child. Bed rails are not necessarily needed to transition to a large bed. Consider this if you feel your child is ready to leave the crib, but may not be ready to be alone in a large bed.

2. When you feel your child is ready, try to encourage your child to become independent as early as possible. Once your child feels safe sleeping in the new bed, you can try removing the bed rails.

3. It is recommended that parents and children read bedside stories before going to bed, which can help children establish good sleeping habits and a sense of security.

***When reading, you can mention why there are bed rails by the way. The children may even ask to remove the bed rails, which will surprise you!

Reprinted with permission from iBaby Parent-Child Network. Original source: Let your baby sleep peacefully and have a good sleep! Selection and use of bedside guardrails for children