When you want to keep your baby as safe as possible, you need to ensure any infant and nursery products used for their benefit are safe. While most cot designers and manufacturers work to provide the public with safe products, sometimes they don’t meet the standards.
Australia has strict safety standards to ensure your tot is kept secure with every cot you buy, and in this article, we’ll look at the different safety standards for Australia for cots.
Key Points
- All cots, new or second hand, must comply with the current Australian and New Zealand Standard for Cots (AS/NZS 2172-2003)
- It is illegal for stores (retail or online) to supply antique, collectable cots without proper warning labels and certification.
- You should always follow the instructions and safety guidelines.
In This Article:
- What Are The Australian Safety Standards For Cots?
- What Are The Australian Safety Requirements For Setting Up Cots?
- How Can You Keep Your Baby Safe When In Their Cot?
- Is It Safe To Purchase Second Hand Cots?
- How To Report An Unsafe Cot To The ACCC?
What Are The Australian Safety Standards For Cots?
As 10 per cent of babies’ injuries under the age of 12 months are caused by baby furniture, new cots need to comply with Australia’s cot man safety standard, which will have the AS/NZS 2172-2003 sticker on it. Seeing the stickers ensures the following listed below:
- The bars and panels of the cot are spaced between 30 mm and 95 mm apart
- The cots have a minimum depth of 600 mm from the base of the mattress to the top of the cot
- The gap between the mattress and cot sides and ends should be less than 20 mm
- There are no spaces between 30 mm and 50 mm that could trap a child’s arms or legs
- There are no small holes or openings between 5 mm and 12 mm that could potentially trap an infant’s fingers
- The cot has locking brakes if it can move
What Are The Australian Safety Requirements For Setting Up Cots?
Buying a cot that meets Australian safety standards is one thing to ensure your baby has a safe place to sleep. But it doesn’t stop there. When it comes to assembling the cot, you must follow the recommended protocols for your child’s safety while using this baby furniture. Listed below are some steps for setting up a cot:
Always Follow The Instructions
You can have the best approved safe cot for your baby, but if you don’t follow the instructions when setting up, you could easily miss a vital part of keeping your baby safe in their cot.
Position The Cot In A Safe Area
Keep the cot away from blind chords, curtains, heaters, power outlets, and windows. Here are some more tips on how to create a safe nursery for your little one.
How Can You Keep Your Baby Safe When In Their Cot?
Safety standards for household cots don’t stop after the buying and assembling. You should be aware of some things while your baby is in the cot.
Never Use Hot Water Bottles Or Electric Blankets For Your Infant Or Young Child
Hot water bottles could either be too hot, leak, or not be closed properly and burn your child. Electric blankets are a fire or electrocution hazard. Both objects increase the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) since they can easily cause your baby to overheat.
Never Hang Anything Near The Cot
Objects should not be hung near the cot to avoid items dropping into the cot and hitting your child’s head. This includes mirrors, vases, or photo frames, which are extremely dangerous if broken. Toys or mobiles with stretchy elastic chords within your baby’s reach could also become a choking or suffocation hazard.
Never Use Pillows In The Cot
When it comes to children under the age of two, child asphyxiation can occur when babies and toddlers have a pillow in their cot. U and V-shaped pillows used for nursing are also a SIDS safety hazard.
Always Keep The Cot Clear Of Clutter
To ensure your baby’s safety in the cot, you must remove blankets (unless older than 12 months), large toys (which babies can use as climbing aids), small objects and loose sheets. All of these could result in your baby choking, falling, or suffocating while in the cot.
Never use cot bumpers; always use a firm mattress with a tight sheet. Cot bumpers could pose an entrapment risk.
Ensure Regular Maintenance
Check that the nuts and bolts are tight to avoid instability, choking hazards or possible injuries. It’s best to have it fixed as soon as possible if you notice anything that seems damaged or out of place.
Ensure The Cot Has A Pair Of Brakes And Four Castors
An unstable cot is dangerous to the parent/caregiver and the baby. One of the best safety features of some cots is that they have brakes. After you’ve moved your baby’s furniture, when necessary, always check that the brakes are locked.
Always Put The Drop Side Up When The Baby Is Sleeping
It is important to make sure the baby doesn’t accidentally fall out of the cot. Cots with a drop-side can accidentally open, so double-check that the side of your new or second hand cot isn’t loose. You can use a child safety harness if you’re worried about the possibility of your baby falling out.
Ensure The Cot Is Adjusted To Your Needs As The Baby Develops.
Before your baby can sit or pull themselves up, you must avoid straining your back by adjusting the cot to its highest position. Once the baby is able to pull up to a standing position, reset the cot to the lowest position.
Is It Safe To Purchase Second Hand Cots?
There are many myths about purchasing second hand cots or hand-me-down baby equipment, and the cot is no exception. One such myth is that a second hand cot must be safe because it’s already been used. This is one rumour any parent should dispel immediately and continue to check for the AS/NZS 2172-2003 sticker to indicate it meets the Australian Safety standards.
It’s necessary and safer to use available household cots with complete instructions on how to assemble them and all the required parts safely if you intend on buying a second hand cot for your baby. Also, ensure that all the components of the cot are in good working order.
Antiques And Collectable Cots
Having antique or collectable baby cots might add a unique aesthetic to your baby’s room, but this shouldn’t come at the expense of your baby’s safety. It’s illegal for retailers, online stores, and antique and second hand stores to sell cots without the mandatory labels and certificates.
Cot Warning Label
There should be two metal plaques as a permanent fixture with a warning saying, “WARNING: This cot does not meet the mandatory safety standard. For display purposes only. It is dangerous to place a child in this cot.”
Cot Certificate
The cot should also have a certificate to warn consumers that putting a child in the cot is unsafe.
How To Report An Unsafe Cot To The ACCC?
You can report an unsafe cot to the ACCC by following this link. Here, you’ll find a short form to complete that will ask for the details of the product, as well as your own personal details, although you can submit it anonymously if you prefer.
Final Thoughts On Cot Safety Standards Of Australia
The brilliant thing about raising your baby in Australia is that our safety standards with cots are a high calibre. The Australian standard safety regulations are there to prevent any foreseeable issues, injuries and even fatalities that could come with placing a baby in a cot. A cot should be a safe space, so if you see the warning or think the standards might be too pedantic, they’re only there to protect infants.