Portman’s bipartisan bill would require nationwide ban on sale of crib bumpers

Bipartisan legislation introduced on April 20 by U.S. Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) would require the Consumer Product Safety Commission to enforce a nationwide ban on the sale of crib bumpers, which are proven to pose a deadly risk to sleeping infants.

“The use of crib bumpers pose an unnecessary threat to the health and safety of infants everywhere,” Sen. Portman said. “There is no reason the sale of these dangerous items should continue.” 

The Safe Cribs Act, S. 1259, which Sen. Portman cosponsored with bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), also would make it unlawful nationwide to manufacture and import crib bumpers, according to the bill summary provided by Sen. Portman’s office, which noted that retailers continue to sell them despite current federal recommendations advising parents to keep cribs bare to prevent sudden infant death syndrome. 

“My home state of Ohio has already banned these harmful products,” said Sen. Portman. “Congress must also act to protect infants from an unnecessary and unacceptable risk.”

In 2011, the City of Chicago became the first American city to ban the sale of crib bumpers, according to Sen. Portman’s office, and Maryland and Ohio banned their sale in 2013 and 2017, respectively, with minor exceptions.

The bill has been endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Consumer Federation of America, and multiple other pediatric associations.

“Crib bumper pads pose a real risk of suffocation and confuse parents on how best to create a safe sleep environment,” added Nancy Cowles, executive director of Kids In Danger (KID).