Are Infants at Risk During Sleep Time at Day Care Centers?

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

In California and other States, parents depend on day care center to watch over their children while they are at work. Most people recognize that there may be dangers in a day care center in the form of a swimming pool, aggressive dog, sharp objects, poisons, traffic, and other dangers. Many people, however, do not realize that it can also be quite dangerous for a child especially an infant at a day care center during sleep time or nap time. There is a risks of suffocation, asphyixation, and SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) when an infant is placed in an unsafe sleeping environment. Here are some risks that may be present in the day care center:

1. Loose blankets in the sleeping area;

2. Pillows;

3. Soft mattresses that are not manufactured for infant sleeping areas;

4. Stuffed animals;

5. Boppy pillows (crescent shaped pillows);

6. Small objectst that present a choking hazard; and

7. Cords from window shades and coverings.

It is important that the sleeping area is regularly maintained and constantly monitored especially for infants. In a matter of just seconds, a child’s life may be put in danger. Sleep time is not the time for staff members to multi-tasks or play on their mobile devices. It is a time to be constantly and viligantly monitoring the children in the day care center during all times of the day including but not limited to sleep or nap time.

The book titled – The ABCs of Child Injury – Legal Rights of the Injured Child – What Every Parent Should Know – has chapters on Day Care Center Injuries, School Injuries, Playground Injuries, Amusement and Theme Park Injuries, and other topics. You can get this book for free at The ABCs of Child Injury.