The Early Learning Coalition of SWFL and Local United Way Ensuring New Crib Safety Standards

Feb. 9, 2012 - PRLog -- New regulations for crib safety are being put into practice locally, thanks to funds made available by United Way of Lee, Hendry and Glades. Beginning last year, any crib used by childcare facilities or in family childcare homes must meet new and improved federal safety standards. For many local facilities, the change was crippling, meaning large investments in new cribs that just wasn’t feasible. That’s where the Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida stepped in.

The Early Learning Coalition used funds made available through a United Way grant to purchase 173 cribs at $175 each and donate them to local childcare providers. It was a priority, successfully addressed and sure to save lives. All childcare facilities, family child care homes and places of public accommodation must prepare to replace their current cribs with new, compliant cribs before December 28, 2012.

The new standards address deadly hazards previously seen with traditional drop-side rails. Now requiring more durable hardware and mandating more rigorous crib testing, the new standards apply to all full-size and non full-size cribs including wood metal and stackable cribs.

ABOUT THE EARLY LEARNING COALITION
The Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida exists to enhance the quality of children's lives by providing low-income families, early childhood educators, caregivers and community partners in Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee Counties, with opportunities to positively impact the future. For details on our many services or to donate, please visit http://www.elcofswfl.org or call (239) 267-4105.

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ELC exists to enhance the quality of children's lives by providing low-income families, early childhood educators, caregivers and community partners in Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee Counties, with opportunities to positively impact the future.