Baby crib bumpers may be banned in Illinois

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Many have used these baby crib bumpers. But did you know it's no longer legal to sell them in the City of Chicago? There's a measure pending right now for the ban to be statewide.

There have been a lot of questions raised about their safety, as September is Baby Safety Month.

From learning to crawl to simply rolling over, babies are full of curiosity. To ensure their safety, experts recommend parents start with the crib.

"The number one thing I would say to a new parent is to have nothing in that crib," said Laura Nikolovska, Kids in Danger program director.

Nikolovska works with Kids in Danger, a Chicago non-profit dedicated to protecting kids from unsafe products. They're one of the leading organizations in the effort to ban crib bumpers.

"Parents have to remember that is one space kids are alone for extended periods of time. We want to make sure they're in the safest environment possible," Nikolovska said. "If they have a non-breathable side, they're a suffocation hazard. The second is they're a strangulation hazard because of the cord on the side of the bumper pad."

The American Academy of Pediatrics, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institute of Health have all advised against their use. But for now, outside of Chicago, the choice is still up to the parent.

Although you should know, if your child goes to daycare, they are no longer allowed at day care facilities in Illinois. At Easter Seals Child Development Center, the cribs are a perfect example.

"Perfect. Nothing inside. We always say decorate the room, not the crib," Nikolovska said.

They encourage parents to check out any facility before sending their children to day care.

"Our programs are accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. It's a very rigorous review of every aspect of our programming, including many health and safety topics," said Kelly Anne Ohde, communications director at Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago.

Other safety advice? Nap Nannies have been recalled. You should no longer use them. Make sure you use those popular Bumbo seats with the safety belt and only on the floor. You can get furniture straps at any baby store to prevent tip-overs. One final recommendation?

"Register your products. t's that little extra step that nobody seems to take. But it really just takes a minute of your time and ensure that manufacturers contact you in event of safety recall," Nikolovska said.

A Consumer Product Safety Commission review showed that in over a decade, there were 48 baby deaths that were connected to bumpers. But the exact number is hard to pinpoint. Maryland is currently the only one with a statewide ban. Efforts are underway to make that the case in Illinois as well.

For more information, visit www.excelerateillinois.com and www.naeyc.org.