Household cots injuries

In 2006 an infant in Australia suffocated after becoming wedged between the side of the cot and the mattress. There was a dangerous gap in one side of the cot that trapped the child's face against the mattress and prevented breathing.

The gap was caused by a missing part in a corner bracket under the cot. Because the part was missing, the corner of the cot was loose, moved about and stopped the mattress from fitting tightly.

Maintenance issues such as this can undermine safety features on new and second-hand cots and can cause serious injuries and death.

It is important to check that new and second-hand household cots meet the mandatory standard. If parts are broken, always get a reliable cot supplier to organise repairs so that all safety features are retained. If the supplier cannot organise to have the cot fixed, stop using it immediately and dispose of it.