Cribs, Playpens Hurt 10,000 Kids a Year

Nearly 10,000 U.S. babies and toddlers are hurt each year in accidents involving cribs and playpens, a new report says. Most of the injuries involved falls by toddlers. In many cases, they were trying to climb out of the crib. There were also more than 100 deaths a year, the report said. The journal Pediatrics published the study. It was released early because of a hearing in Congress. The hearing was expected to cover crib safety. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has said it will ban cribs with movable sides. The ban takes effect in June. The drop sides of these older cribs can come loose. A baby can get trapped in the gap between the side and frame. The Associated Press wrote about the crib study February 17.