Crib Safety Checklist for Safe Sleep Setup

Use this crib safety checklist before a baby sleeps in a new, used, stored, moved, or reassembled crib. The checklist helps you check the crib label, recall record, instructions, mattress fit, slats, hardware, frame, and sleep space.

This is a screening checklist, not a repair or assembly guide. If you cannot check every box, stop using the crib for sleep while you verify the missing information or condition.

One-Page Crib Safety Checklist

Check every box before using the crib for sleep.

• Label: The manufacturer, model number, and manufacture date can be read on the crib label. (CPSC label guidance)
• Recall: The exact crib model has been checked in the current federal recall database. (CPSC recalls)
• Manual: The manufacturer instructions match the exact crib model. (AAP guidance)
• Fixed sides: The crib is a fixed-side design, not a traditional drop-side crib. (CPSC crib safety tips)
• Mattress fit: The mattress is firm, flat, made for the crib, and fits tightly around every edge. (AAP guidance)
• Slats: No slats are missing, loose, or cracked, and spaces between slats are no more than 2 3/8 inches. (CPSC crib safety tips)
• Hardware: All required manufacturer hardware is present, correctly installed, secure, and undamaged. (CPSC crib safety tips)
• Structure: The rails, corners, mattress support, joints, and frame show no cracks, bending, separation, or movement. (CPSC crib safety tips)
• Empty sleep space: The crib contains only a firm mattress and fitted sheet, with no bumpers, pillows, blankets, positioners, or toys. (AAP guidance)

If one box stays unchecked: Stop using the crib for sleep while you verify its model, recall status, instructions, parts, mattress fit, or structural condition. Do not guess, substitute hardware, or try to make an uncertain crib work.

Print This Checklist

Use your browser’s print settings to print or save the checklist.

If you are replacing an older movable-side crib, compare fixed-side crib alternatives rather than trying to return the old drop-side design to use.

Why These Crib Checks Matter

A crib can look sturdy while still having a missing fastener, damaged support, poor mattress fit, mismatched manual, or unresolved recall. The checklist separates what can be seen from what must be verified.

For sleep, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a firm, flat sleep surface with a tightly fitting mattress and fitted sheet only. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission also says a crib should not have missing, loose, broken, or improperly installed hardware, missing or cracked slats, or an unsafe mattress fit. See the AAP safe sleep guidance and CPSC crib safety tips.

Stop Using the Crib and Verify

Do not use the crib for sleep while you investigate if any of these problems appear:

• The crib is recalled, or its recall status cannot be checked.
• The model label is missing or unreadable.
• The correct manufacturer manual cannot be found.
• The crib has a traditional drop-side design.
• A required part or piece of hardware is missing, loose, broken, substituted, or damaged.
• A slat, rail, corner, joint, or mattress support is cracked, bent, loose, or separating.
• The mattress leaves a questionable opening along an edge or corner.
• The crib cannot be assembled exactly as shown in the matching manufacturer instructions.

Check the exact model in the CPSC recall database. For missing parts, structural damage, and mattress-fit warnings, review the CPSC crib safety tips.

This section does not tell you how to repair, alter, retrofit, or substitute parts on a crib.

Older, Secondhand, or Stored Cribs

Run the full checklist on any crib that is older, secondhand, inherited, stored, moved, or reassembled. Do not rely only on how solid or clean it looks.

If the label, matching manual, original parts, recall status, or structural condition cannot be verified, stop using the crib for sleep. This page does not provide instructions for restoring, modifying, retrofitting, or improvising parts for an uncertain crib.

What to Do After the Checklist

If every box is checked, continue following the exact manufacturer instructions, recheck hardware as directed by the manufacturer, and keep the sleep space empty.

If a box cannot be checked, stop using the crib for sleep while you verify the issue. Start with the model label, matching manual, and CPSC recall database.

Use the crib hardware identification reference when you need the correct name for a visible part. Review the crib safety standards guide for the broader federal rules, or see when a crib is no longer safe for a stop-use decision guide.