New standards for toddler beds are a major achievement for the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), which voted unanimously (5-0) this week to adopt the new standards which add more safety precautions to the previous ASTM voluntary standard for toddler beds (F1821-09) and additional protections to prevent injuries to children. 

From 1995 through December 2010, the CPSC became aware of 122 incidents involving toddler beds, including four deaths and 43 injuries.  Cribs which convert into toddler beds also need to be in compliance with the new requirements which, according to the CPSC, are:

• The upper edge of the guardrail must be at least five inches above the toddler bed's mattress.
• Spindle/slat strength testing for toddler beds must be consistent with the testing required for crib spindles/slats.
• Separate warning labels to address entrapment and strangulation hazards must appear on toddler beds.   

The mandatory standard becomes effective six (6) months following publication of the new standard in The Federal Register. It will affect toddler beds manufactured or imported after that date. 

The Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death from thousands of types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction.  By its passage and enactment of the Consumer Product Safety and Improvement Act of 2008, Congress required that the CPSC issue a mandatory standard for toddler beds.  http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml11/11199.html