Crib Safety Secrets: 8 Ways to Protect Your Hotel's Youngest Guests
By Katherine Furbee
Providing cribs for families is essential for any hotel, but it also comes with responsibilities. From adhering to CPSC and ASTM standards to routine inspections, proper assembly, staff training, and cleanliness, these eight steps help hospitality professionals minimize risk and deliver a safe, high-quality experience that earns family trust and loyalty.
Ensuring the safety and satisfaction of your guests is crucial to your business’s success. For families traveling with infants, providing cribs isn’t just a convenience, but a necessity.
BUT -- offering cribs comes with its own set of responsibilities and risks. From meeting stringent safety standards to maintaining the high-quality guests expect and deserve, there are several key areas where proactive risk mitigation makes all the difference. Here are 8 key ways to mitigate risk when it comes to hotel cribs:
1. Adhere to Safety Standards
Ensure that your cribs meet current safety regulations and standards such as those set by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). Regularly check to stay up to date with these evolving standards.
2. Regular Inspections
Implement a routine inspection schedule to check up on your cribs for wear and tear, missing parts, or any other defects. Address any issues immediately to present potential safety hazards. Foundations offers a 1-year warranty that includes replacement parts.
3. Proper Assembly and Installation
Assemble cribs correctly according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Verify that all parts are securely in place and that the crib is stable and safe for use.
4. Invest in Quality Cribs
Invest in high quality cribs from reputable manufacturers that employ rigorous safety testing. Cheap cribs often do not meet safety standards or guarantee any warranty for hotels. Avoid using second-hand or older cribs unless they meet current safety standards and have been thoroughly inspected.
5. Provide Clear Instructions
Provide users with clear and easy-to-follow instructions for crib use for guests including step-by-step directions, guidelines on mattress placement, safe sleep practices, and weight limits.
6. Train Your Staff
Train your housekeeping, maintenance, and front desk staff on how to assemble cribs safely, how to maintain them, and safety protocols. Ensure staff is prepared to answer any questions or concerns raised by guests.
7. Maintain Cleanliness
Keep your cribs and accessories pristine with a crib cover and store them in a clean area. Regularly clean cribs and bedding to prevent the spread of germs with nontoxic, baby-safe cleaning materials.
8. Monitor and Respond
Encourage guests to give feedback and reply promptly to their concerns. Have backup options for guests (like play yards or extra cribs) and a system for quick repairs.
Ensuring the safety of cribs in your hotel is more than just a regulatory requirement—it's a crucial element of providing an exceptional guest experience and building lasting trust with families. By proactively addressing potential risks through your establishment’s routines and policies, you can commit to your customers and stand out as the best choice for lodging.