Safety Standards for Baby Furniture

There are many new things that come with a new baby: changing schedules, shifting priorities and above all, a new sense of safety. Suddenly ever table edge, outlet and cupboard is a potential "baby danger zone". Fortunately in this day and age, there is an extensive variety of products to help keep homes baby safe and friendly.

One thing that must not be overlooked while shopping for safety products is the baby's crib. In reality, the one time a newly born baby is left by himself is when he is in his crib. There are a variety of organizations which oversee the regulations of baby and kid furniture to ensure only safe products are available on the market, however some organizations have hire standards than others.

The reigning safety regulator is the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The CPSC is responsible for ensuring that products which are unreasonably dangerous or potentially can cause injury or death, even if used correctly are recalled. Their focus is on products that could cause a fire, electrical, chemical or mechanical threat to consumers as well as products used by children. Cribs and other furniture for children have to be CPSC approved to be on the market and will be pulled if there are reported problems.

Another association, the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA), Inc., developed in 1959, also is a national trade organization which advocates for the safety of products manufactured for children. According to their website, JPMA represents 250 companies in North America who manufacture, distribute or import products for babies. The association is committed to ensuring safe products for babies and children and new parents can trust the safety of a product that is JPMA certified.

The American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) is a voluntary standards development organization that has a set standard for the materials used to make products. Products that are certified by the ASTM are made from high quality materials that are safe and will last. Shoppers can trust that kid's furniture approved by ASTM is made with good quality materials which will ensure safety and longevity.

Another player in the quality and safety control and regulation is Intertek, an organization that has been in the testing industry since 1885. Intertek supports manufacturers to go beyond just testing and certifying products by certifying manufacturing process which minimize health, safety and security rises which are benefits that are passed to the consumers in the form of safe products and cost savings.

A new player in the certification and protection industry is GreenGuard, founded in 2001. GreenGuard's mission is to reduce exposure to chemicals which will improve indoor air quality. Cribs and kid's furniture certified by GreenGuard ensure that the materials and paint used in production are safe for children to chew, lick and breathe around.

Shopping for baby furniture can be overwhelming, but with a solid understanding of the different certification and safety requirements and standards protecting to consumers it will be easier to choose safe, beautiful furniture for children.

C. Hilios writes for ATG Stores an online retailer that sells a variety of products for the homes. Check out furniture that meets the highest safety standards from Young America.