New safety standards to come for baby changing products

Here's everything expectant parents need to know

Here's everything expectant parents need to know

New safety standards to come for baby changing products

Here's everything expectant parents need to know

Between 2005 and 2016, there were over 39,000 baby changing product-related emergency visits in children younger than three years of age. So, it makes sense that the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CSPC) has announced an updated standard of safety for changing products used at home. The new guidelines apply to changing tables, accessories, add-on units and contoured changing pads, but as was the case with the updated safety standards for high chairs, these new rules can be tricky. The professionals at the Good Housekeeping Institute explain the details:What do the updated federal standards say?The CPSC's ruling took a look at the voluntary changing product recommendations that were recently updated by the ASTM International (formerly known as the American Society for Testing and Materials) and made them mandatory standards starting in mid-2019.The updated ASTM International standards include requirements for structural integrity, restraint-system integrity and warnings on labels and in instructions. In plain English, the new guidelines will make sure that products like changing tables are stable and will clearly indicate to parents the maximum weight they can hold and any potential dangers (like choking or suffocation hazards). The new standards will require a safety check to test if a changing table can actually stand up to its claimed maximum weight over a set period of time. They will also require changing tables to have a barrier to prevent children from rolling off, as well as confirming that restraints and harnesses are well-constructed. Why did the standards change?Rachel Rothman, chief technologist in the Good Housekeeping Institute, explains that many parents don't realize that their child could be too heavy for a changing table to hold without causing structural damage or that certain products pose serious risks that may not be top of mind. The goal of these new standards is to reduce the number of injuries from baby changing products. Do I need to buy a new changing table or pad for my kid?We understand that as a parent you want a product that holds up to the new standards, but until they go into effect in 2019, there's no definitive way to tell if your product will comply.You can, however, take the following precautions recommended by Rothman to keep your child safe in the meantime. 1. Visually inspect your changing table. Many safety concerns are related to unstable or collapsing products, hardware issues or assembly problems. If a changing table looks unstable to you, don't take a chance and put your child on it. You should also make sure there are no loose, broken or cracked parts or pieces that could potentially be a choking, suffocation or pinch hazard. 2. Register your baby products with the manufacturer, so you are informed if there is a recall. Alert the CPSC if you've come across dangers or accidents that are due to the construction of the item.3. Read instruction manuals thoroughly to ensure you are using your changing product properly and that your child is within the recommended age and weight range.4. Look at the Juvenile Product Manufacturer's Association (JPMA)'s recommended list. They have a certification program that manufacturers can go through to ensure they are meeting safety requirements.Do the changing products on my registry comply with the new standards?Unfortunately, until 2019, there's no way to know for sure. If possible, you may want to wait until the new standards take effect before purchasing a product. If you can't, your best bet is to take Rothman's advice to keep your child safe. Another pro tip: Avoid using any hand-me-down baby products made for safety if you can. "Buying new is the best way to ensure that your product meets the most recent safety standards," says Rothman.Bottom line: You don't necessarily have to run out and redo your nursery right now, but it is important to take necessary safety precautions.While the new guidelines are still uncertain, always keep a close eye on your child when changing them and to never leave children unattended on a changing table or mat. The aim of the new standards is to make baby changing products much safer for kids of all ages — and that's something worth the wait. Check out some more child safety tips in the related video above.

What do the updated federal standards say?

The took a look at the voluntary changing product recommendations that were (formerly known as the American Society for Testing and Materials) and made them mandatory standards starting in mid-2019.

The updated ASTM International standards include requirements for structural integrity, restraint-system integrity and warnings on labels and in instructions. In plain English, the new guidelines will make sure that products like changing tables are stable and will clearly indicate to parents the maximum weight they can hold and any potential dangers (like choking or suffocation hazards). The new standards will require a safety check to test if a changing table can actually stand up to its claimed maximum weight over a set period of time. They will also require changing tables to have a barrier to prevent children from rolling off, as well as confirming that restraints and harnesses are well-constructed.

Why did the standards change?

Rachel Rothman, , explains that many parents don't realize that their child could be too heavy for a changing table to hold without causing structural damage or that certain products pose serious risks that may not be top of mind. The goal of these new standards is to reduce the number of injuries from baby changing products.

Do I need to buy a new changing table or pad for my kid?

We understand that as a parent you want a product that holds up to the new standards, but until they go into effect in 2019, there's no definitive way to tell if your product will comply.

You can, however, take the following precautions recommended by Rothman to keep your child safe in the meantime.

1. Visually inspect your changing table. Many safety concerns are related to unstable or collapsing products, hardware issues or assembly problems. If a changing table looks unstable to you, don't take a chance and put your child on it. You should also make sure there are no loose, broken or cracked parts or pieces that could potentially be a choking, suffocation or pinch hazard.

2. Register your baby products with the manufacturer, so you are informed if there is a recall. if you've come across dangers or accidents that are due to the construction of the item.

3. Read instruction manuals thoroughly to ensure you are using your changing product properly and that your child is within the recommended age and weight range.

4. Look at the . They have a certification program that manufacturers can go through to ensure they are meeting safety requirements.

Do the changing products on my registry comply with the new standards?

Unfortunately, until 2019, there's no way to know for sure. If possible, you may want to wait until the new standards take effect before purchasing a product. If you can't, your best bet is to take Rothman's advice to keep your child safe. Another pro tip: Avoid using any hand-me-down baby products made for safety if you can.

"Buying new is the best way to ensure that your product meets the most recent safety standards," says Rothman.

Bottom line: You don't necessarily have to run out and redo your nursery right now, but it is important to take necessary safety precautions.

While the new guidelines are still uncertain, always keep a close eye on your child when changing them and to never leave children unattended on a changing table or mat. The aim of the new standards is to make baby changing products much safer for kids of all ages — and that's something worth the wait.

Check out some more child safety tips in the related video above.

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