September is Baby Safety Month

Make Every Night A Safe Night

MOUNT LAUREL, N.J., Sept. 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- September is Baby Safety Month, sponsored annually by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA). This September, JPMA is helping educate parents and caregivers on the importance of creating a safe sleep environment from naptime to nighttime.

Each year hundreds of deaths occur when children are placed in a sleep environment that is not specifically designed for children. The safest place for a baby or child is in a fully functional, properly assembled, JPMA Certified crib, cradle, bassinet, portable play yard, or toddler bed.

All new cribs on the market today must meet minimum government requirements. In addition, there are consensus performance standards, which are established by ASTM International with involvement of the government and recognized experts, to which JPMA certifies cribs, cradles/bassinets, portable play yards, toddler beds, bed rails and other durable infant products- more than 2,000 products in 21 categories.

Recent recalls of juvenile products highlight the importance of proper assembly and use of cribs. Cribs are intended to last for years (or multiple births) when properly cared for. So, with some careful planning, naptime and nighttime can be a pleasant and safe experience for parents and baby.

There is an abundance of material available today for parents looking for babygear safety information. Parents are encouraged to read through the safety tips at www.babysafetymonth.org  and gain powerful insight into safe sleep practices. A special section just for retailers provides ideas and helpful hints for promoting Baby Safety Month in-store. We invite you to celebrate Baby Safety Month 2010 and Make Every Night a Safe Night.

In an effort to further educate parents on creating a safe sleep environment, JPMA has developed a comprehensive safe sleep campaign. Together, with related industry partners, JPMA is committed to educating parents and caregivers nationwide on the best safe sleep practices to make every night with baby a good, safe night. For more information on this initiative, visit www.cribsafety.org.

Baby Safety Month exists to increase consumer awareness of safety issues surrounding the safe use and selection of juvenile products. Baby Safety Month started in 1983 when JPMA initiated "Expectant Mother's Day."  In 1986, it was extended to a week long celebration, until 1991, when JPMA sponsored the first "Baby Safety Awareness Month."

About the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association

The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association is a national trade organization that exists to advance the interests, growth and well-being of North American prenatal to preschool product manufacturers, importers and distributors marketing under their own brands to consumers. It does so through advocacy, public relations, information sharing, product performance certification and business development assistance conducted with appreciation for the needs of parents, children and retailers.

Learn more about JPMA at  www.jpma.org . Follow JPMA on Twitter @JPMA and connect with us on Facebook to learn about additional safety tips and JPMA initiatives.

SOURCE Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association