Safety Fact Sheet Cot Bumpers And Pillows - Kids Health @ CHW
Safety Fact Sheet Cot Bumpers And Pillows - Kids Health @ CHW
Safety Fact Sheet Cot Bumpers And Pillows - Kids Health @ CHW
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<strong>Safety</strong> <strong>Fact</strong> <strong>Sheet</strong><br />
<strong>Cot</strong> <strong>Bumpers</strong> and <strong>Pillows</strong><br />
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Page 1<br />
What are cot bumpers and pillows?<br />
<strong>Cot</strong> bumpers are pieces of padded fabric that attach to and line the inside of cots.<br />
Although they are designed to protect your baby from draughts and make the cot more<br />
attractive, cot bumpers pose significant hazards to babies.<br />
Children’s pillows come in a variety of shapes and sizes and may be filled with wool,<br />
feathers or synthetic material.<br />
How may children be injured when using cot bumpers and pillows?<br />
Choking<br />
Children may choke on strings, ribbons or buttons attached to cot bumpers.<br />
Strangulation<br />
Children may be strangled by bumper pad ties, strings, ribbons or bands.<br />
Suffocation<br />
Young children may suffocate if they roll face down onto a pillow or against a cot<br />
bumper or if their head becomes wedged between the cot bumper and another<br />
object e.g. cot mattress.<br />
Falls<br />
Children may stand on cot bumpers to help them climb over the edge of the cot. This<br />
may lead to a fall.<br />
How common are these injuries?<br />
In the United States between 1985 and 2005, medical examiners and coroners reported<br />
27 accidental deaths of children aged between 1 month and 2 years caused by bumper<br />
pads. 1<br />
Is there a Law or an Australian Standard for cot bumpers and<br />
pillows?<br />
There are no laws or Australian Standards relating to cot bumpers and pillows. Please<br />
keep in mind the safety reminders below when considering the purchase and use of cot<br />
bumpers and pillows for children.<br />
Remember:<br />
The Children’s Hospital at Westmead recommends that you do not use cot bumpers<br />
with your child.<br />
If you decide to use cot bumpers, purchase bumpers that do not have strings, ribbons<br />
or buttons that may pose a choking or strangulation hazard. Always remove cot<br />
bumpers before putting your child to bed.<br />
The Children’s Hospital at Westmead recommends that you do not use a pillow or U<br />
shaped pillow for children aged less than two years.<br />
When your child moves to an adult bed or begins using a pillow, select one that is<br />
firm and flat.<br />
The Children’s Hospital at Westmead recommends that you check for products that<br />
have been recalled (www.recalls.gov.au) prior to buying or borrowing an item for use<br />
with your child.
<strong>Safety</strong> <strong>Fact</strong> <strong>Sheet</strong><br />
<strong>Cot</strong> <strong>Bumpers</strong> and <strong>Pillows</strong><br />
_________________________<br />
This fact sheet is for educational purposes only.<br />
© <strong>Kids</strong> <strong>Health</strong>, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Nov 2011 www.kidshealth.chw.edu.au<br />
Page 2<br />
1) Thach BT, Rutherford GW, Harris K. Deaths and injuries attributed to infant crib bumper pads.<br />
Journal of Pediatrics 2007;151(3):271-274.
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