Agency Adopts Stringent Bed Rail Standards

WASHINGTON (CN) - The Consumer Product Safety Commission has adopted new standards for bed rails meant to keep children between the ages of 2 and 5 from falling out of an adult-sized bed.

The CPSC says that it received reports of 13 fatalities caused by misuse or failure of the rails, from Jan. 1, 2000 through March 31, 2010.

The new standards were adopted by incorporation of voluntary standards developed by ASTM International, a manufacturer-financed standards agency.

The ASTM standards incorporate suggestions CPSC made in its proposed rule to increase safety standards for the rails.

Bed rails made of foam and other non-rigid materials are covered under the standards for the first time. Hardware, like screws, nuts and bolts must be pre-attached to part of the rail so that they cannot be lost.

Rails also will have to come with more warning labels, including one cautioning that children younger than 2 years old should not be placed in adult bed with or without a bed rail.

Click the document icon for this regulation and others.

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