Update: HR 5348(McAsey-Pihos) passed the Illinois House Consumer Protection Committee on 3/25 by a vote of 9-5. Illinois residents can call their House of Representatives member and urge support.
Representative McAsey proposed a bill, HB5348, to ban bumper pads in Illinois earlier this winter. As many of you know, crib bumper pads provide no protection from serious injury in the crib and they have been linked to dozens of infant deaths.
If this bill passes, Illinois will become the second state to ban the sale of crib bumper pads. Maryland banned the sale of crib bumper pads this past summer and Chicago already bans the sale of crib bumper pads within the city limits.
While introduced in past sessions, this year we are determined to move it forward towards passage. There is a committee hearing scheduled for the crib bumper pad ban this week.
If you support a bill that aims to protect infants by removing an unnecessary and dangerous product from their cribs while highlighting the importance of a safe sleep message, please fill out a witness slip.
Fill out the form, select that you are a proponent of the bill, and that this slip is just a record of appearance.
Let your representatives know you care about this issue and help KID protect infants from crib bumper pads.
If you would like updates on legislative issues like this please sign up to be a part of the KID Action Team.
4 Comments
Judy Jo Arbour
I completely agree with this banned on bumpers. No need for them at all.
My concern is with the picture on this link. The Goverment is working hard to start a new campaign called Safe to Sleep. It is an epidemic in our nation of parents sharing their bed with their infants and suffocating them.
A safe crib is one with only a tight fitting sheet. This picture has some kind of pad under babies head and stuffed animal in crib. Baby can suffocate in those too. Thank you for reading
Kids In Danger
Yes, we agree. Nothing in the crib! This picture will be changed.
Renee
Are the breathable ones safe ?
Kids In Danger
The breathable ones may reduce the suffocation risk, but there is no evidence yet one way or the other. But they still pose entrapment or entanglement issues. KID doesn't recommend any bumpers or anything else in the crib besides a tight fitting sheet.