Household cot safety

On this page:

• Assembly
• Mattresses
• Extra bedding
• Cot position
• Changing the mattress base position
• Repairs

Assembly

Make sure that the cot is safely assembled according to instructions.
 
If the cot features a moving drop side, ensure that the locking mechanism is functional and operates safely with repeated use.

Mattresses

Only use the mattress specifically designed for the cot.  An ill-fitting mattress can create dangerous gaps that can trap a sleeping child and cause suffocation. Information about the recommended size of the mattress to use with a cot is required by law in four places:

• in the leaflet that comes with the cot
• on a swing tag or label on the cot
• on external packaging with the cot
• on the cot itself. 

Always follow these instructions to avoid dangers associated with a cot mattress that does not fit snugly. See 'Some key requirements' on the household cots mandatory standard page for full details.

Never place an extra mattress in the cot. While the mattress that comes with the cot may look thin and uncomfortable to you, it has been designed for the comfort and safety of babies and infants.

Extra bedding

Do not use extra bedding like bumpers and pillows. Avoid excessively soft bedding and pillows that can mould around a trapped child's mouth and cause suffocation.

Do not leave items such as toys and stuffed animals in the cot with a sleeping child. These items can be used as footholds to assist the child in climbing out of the cot and can cause suffocation.

Cot position

Set the cot up out of reach of blind and curtain cords. Infants have died after being strangled by loose blind or curtain cords hanging in or near cots. Similarly, keep decorative mobiles out of reach.

Keep heaters or any electrical appliances away from the cot to avoid the risk of overheating, burns and electrocution.

Changing the mattress base position

If the cot has an upper and lower mattress level, move it to the lower level as soon as the child can stand up—otherwise the child may be able to climb out and fall from the cot.

Repairs

If parts of your cot break or stop working as they should, always take it back to the supplier to organise repairs that will ensure safety. Never modify a new or old cot yourself, as this can destroy inbuilt safety features. Infants have died in cots where do-it-yourself repairs have created hazards. If a reputable cot supplier cannot fix your cot, you should immediately stop using it and dispose of it.

For more safety tips, view Safe sleeping tips for infants