Consumer Reports - Play Yards/Playpens

Play yards provide an enclosed place for a baby to play or nap. Most designs can be folded into the compact shape of a golf bag and slipped into a zippered carrying case for travel or storage. The frame is made of metal tubing, and the sides are mesh or moisture-resistant fabric. Because they are rectangular, they fit through most doorways. Playpens, which play yards have largely supplanted, are square.

A play yard's top rails are typically hinged at the center so they can be folded. Many play yards sold in the 1990s had rails that could collapse at the hinges, forming a steep, V-shaped angle that put babies at risk of entrapment or strangulation. Fourteen children have been killed when play yards collapsed, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. To address the hazard, the industry's voluntary standard, updated in 1999 and again in 2002, requires that hinges automatically lock when rails are pulled up.

Two more requirements have now addressed the collapse issue. First, any unit that folds must have a latch, lock, or other device that will prevent the Play yards from unintentionally folding as long as it is set up according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. The second requirement is that no top rail can appear to be in proper position unless the locking device is fully engaged. As a result of the new requirements, a Play yards can only be used if the top rail and any hinges are safely engaged in a locked position, making the play yard safe from unintentional collapse. The rails must also undergo a strength test to check top-rail deflection and other tests that mimic the force of an adult leaning on them. The CPSC has recalled models that pose a rail-collapse hazard, though many may still be in use. (The commission's Web site, www.cpsc.gov, gives recall details.) Only use play yards made in late 2000 or later and certified to the current standard. Don't buy or sell used play yards, and don’t accept hand-me-downs or give them to others.

Most play yards carry a warning that you should never leave your child unattended. That would appear to rule out using the play yard for overnight sleeping--yet odds are that's what many Play yards are used for when traveling. The warning initially was required for certification to the industry’s voluntary standard, but the latest version of that standard no longer includes it. One manual that comes with a play yard provide this rather unclear advice: "When used for sleeping, you must still provide the supervision necessary for the continued safety of your child."

If your baby does sleep in a play yard, remember that the mattress pad is thin for a reason: to prevent a child from becoming wedged between the pad and the sides. Never add extra mattresses or padding, and don't use blankets or other types of soft bedding, which pose a suffocation hazard. Instead, layer baby for warmth with a T-shirt and a footed sleeper.

WHAT'S AVAILABLE

The major brands are Baby Trend, Century, Cosco, Evenflo, Fisher-Price (made by J. Mason), Graco, InStep, J. Mason, and Kolcraft. Most models have hinges and lock buttons in the center of the top rails. To set up a typical play yard, start with the completely folded unit, pull the top rails up until they lock, then push the floor down. To fold it, pull the floor up, squeeze the lock buttons, raise the top rails slightly, an then then let them fold. An alternative design from J. Mason eliminates the top-rail hinge and uses screw-in legs. To set it up, you slide the legs through fabric sleeves at the play yard's corners and screw them into the top rail. Price range for play yards: $80 to $135.

IMPORTANT FEATURES

Wheels or casters. A pair of lockable wheels or swivel casters on one end make moving a play yard easier. With some designs, the unit can also be rolled when folded and packed in its travel bag.

Attachable bassinet. This provides a place for a newborn to nap. Remove the bassinet when your baby can pull up or roll over; your baby can still use the model for sleep or play. An attachable bassinet can be easily be dislodged, so keep young siblings away when it's being used.

Attachable changing station. This attaches to the top of the play yard similar to the way the bassinet does. Its safety belt, if supplied, should be used.

Storage. Storage compartments include zippered side pockets, hook-on fabric storage pouches, and clip-on parent organizers. Keep them out of baby's reach.

Canopy. A canopy can help shield baby from the sun and flying insects. Make sure that the canopy provides cross-ventilation. Closed up and in direct sun, a canopy can caue your child to overheat. During tests, Consumer Reports found that some canopies were hard to assemble.

Carrying case. A sturdy carrying case with handle can make toting the play yard or putting it in the trunk of your car easier.

Side curtains. Included with some play yards, they provide protection from the sun and wind. But make sure the play yard can provide cross ventilation when needed.

Floor pad. The floor pad is about an inch thick and is usually made up of four folding panels. The pad should be firm enough to protect baby during falls, and it should stay in place so there is no danger of baby slipping or getting entrapped in a gap between it and the side of the play yard.

Toys. Do not place toys in the play yard that your baby might be able to use to step on and climb out.

HOW TO CHOOSE

Key differences. Most play yards meet the current safety standard. In Consumer Reports’ tests, most of the units with hinges in the center of the top rails--the typical design--did fine in terms of safety. However, top rails bent to varying degrees during a test designed to mimic the force applied when an adult bends over  to tend to a child. (A load was gradually applied at a 45-degree angle until it reached 100 pounds.) The rail hinges broke on two models, which have since been discontinued. While some other rails didn't fall into a steep V, they sagged enough to raise safety concerns. A parent leaning on a rail as it breaks could fall forward and injure the child, for example. For the safest top rail, look for one that doesn’t fold or have hinges.

Recommendations. Only consider a play yard made in late 2000 or later that meets the current safety standard. Look for the date of manufacture and a certification sticker on the packaging or play yard. With older models manufatured before the current safety standard, a top-rail hinge possibly may collapse and trap your child. While those models have been recalled, many may still be in use. If your child uses a play yard at a day-care facility or in a hotel, make sure it's a recent model.

Before each use examine padded sides and all areas where mesh and fabric are sewn together to see that there are no loose threads that could entangle fingers or toes. The floor and pad should fit snugly against the sides to prevent gaps.

Heed maximum height and weight limits--usually 35 inches and 30 pounds. Stop using a play yard when your child attempts to climb out.

Certification. A certification sticker on the frame or packaging indicates that the play yard meets the requirements of the voluntary standard of the American Society for Testing and Materials and that its manufacturer participates in the pass/fail certification program administered by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association. Play yards, like other products for children 3 years and younger, are covered by the federal safety standard with respect to small parts that can present a choking hazard.

Copyright © 2002-2006 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc.

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