New federal mandatory safety standards, aimed at improving the safety of play yards, have been approved by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

Between November 2007 and December 2011, there was an estimated 2,100 incidents involving play yards reported to the agency, which included 60 deaths and 170 injuries.

Play Yard Requirements

Stability testing to prevent the play yard rom tipping over.

Latch and locks to keep the play yard from folding during use.

Entrapment tests for attachments so a child’s head does not get trapped.

Incorporate minimum side height requirements to prevent the child from getting out of the play yard.

More can be read in the CPSC News Release.

The effective date for the new standards is six months after the final rule.