Play Yards and Play Pens Safety Tips

As with all baby equipment, take the proper precautions when using your play yard or play pen to ensure a happy and successful play time. Be sure and choose a very sturdy model for your purchase. Play yards and play pens are intended to be used by children who are less than 34 inches tall, weigh less than 30 pounds and do not pose a threat of climbing out of them. Here are some helpful safety tips for using your play pen correctly:

 

o       The play yard or play pen should be fully erected before you place baby inside to play. Always test to make sure the sides are locked into place to ensure the play yard does not collapse with baby inside.

o       If your play yard has a drop side, do not leave baby inside with the drop side down. Baby could accidentally roll into the space between the pad and the loose mesh which could cause suffocation.

o       Don’t place objects or padding inside the play yard that baby could step on to help him climb out.

o       Don’t leave loose sheets or blankets in the play yard that could suffocate baby while sleeping.

o       If your play yard has mesh sides, make sure the holes are no bigger than ¼ inch. If your play yard has wooden sides, make sure the slats are only 2 3/8 inches apart.

o       Make sure your play yard has padded top rails and corners to prevent painful bumps and cuts. 

o       Look for holes or worn material on mesh, vinyl or fabric-covered play yards.

o       Don’t tie items across the top of the play yard. Baby can grab a hold of them and become entangle, causing strangulation.

o       Never leave your baby in his play yard unattended.

If you purchase a used play yard or play pen, be sure to check if it has been recalled for any reason.

 

As a final note, play yards and play pens have been recommended by pediatricians as safe places for a younger child to spend time so that an older sibling can’t accidentally hurt that child. For example, if the older child is still just a toddler and is curious about how baby works, putting baby in a play pen keeps him out of the way of “experiments” on baby. Also, siblings have the tendency to “steal” toys from each other. If your children are close together in age, placing one of the young children in the play pen can be a good solution to giving each of them their space. They may really appreciate their own safe haven.

 

 

Sources:

1.    “Play Yard Buying Guide”: www.babylifestyle.com/playyard_buying_guide.html

2.    “Play Yards and Play Pens”: www.surebaby.com/play_yard.php

3.    “Find the Best Play Pen for Your Child”: www.greatbabygear.com/play-pen.html

4.    “Buying Guides for Play Yards”: http://www.babyuniverse.com/buyersguide/baby/4/PlayYards.html