How to Lock a Dropdown Crib Rail

While the Consumer Product Safety Commission does not allow manufacturers to sell new cribs with a dropdown crib rail, many parents and families still have dropdown cribs in their homes. A dropdown crib is a crib with a rail that drops down on one side of the crib, making it easier for an adult to lift an infant out of the crib. However, the dropdown crib rail can cause strangulation or suffocation of an infant if the rail accidentally falls. If you can securely lock the rail in place, you may be able to minimize the danger posed by a dropdown crib rail.

Instructions

• 1

  Inspect the lock on the dropdown rail to ensure the lock is secure. The lock should be firmly in place and slide easily. If the lock is loose or does not slide into place, the lock may not be safe to use.

• 2

  Lift the dropdown side rail up all the way to the top of the crib. The rail should slide up with no resistance and the rail should be free from any loose boards or missing parts.

• 3

  Listen for the snap of the rail as the rail reaches the locked position of the crib. The rail will make a snapping noise as it locks into place, ensuring both sides of the rail are in the locked position. Some cribs have an additional lock to secure the crib, so slide the lock into place if your crib contains such a feature.