36
CPSC NEISS Data 2005–2024

Baby Mattresses Or Pads

Twenty years of CPSC NEISS emergency-room records for this consumer product category, combined with demographic breakdowns, multi-year injury trends, and matching recall notices.

Nursery & Baby Products · CPSC Code 1542

Up 41% over 5 years

The verdict

Baby Mattresses Or Pads carry a danger score of 36/100 (low risk), driven by roughly 256 ER-treated injuries a year that are rising by about 41% over the last five years.

36/100
danger score (low risk)
256
ER visits per year (avg)
7.5%
end in hospital admission
0-4
most-injured age group

Every figure is rendered from the CPSC NEISS record for product code 1542 - last data year 2024.

PlainSafety danger score

0/100100/10036/100
PlainSafety danger score

Source: CPSC NEISS danger-score model As of 2024

How this 36/100 score is built

The score is computed from four CPSC-derived factors for baby mattresses or pads - no opinion, no editorializing:

  • Injury volume256 ER visits/yr
  • Severity (hospitalization rate)7.5%
  • Fatality rate0.21%
  • 5-year trend+41%

See the full methodology for the exact weighting of each factor.

What the CPSC Data Shows

Baby Mattresses Or Pads (CPSC product code 1542, in the Nursery & Baby Products category) generate an estimated 256 emergency-room visits every year in the United States, adding up to roughly 5,126 ER-treated injuries across the 20-year span from 2005 to 2024. PlainSafety derives a danger score of 36/100 for this category (low risk), combining raw injury volume, demographic reach, severity of outcome, and multi-year trend. The five-year trajectory shows that injury counts are rising by about 41% over the last five years, with the busiest year on record being 2022 (531 estimated ER visits) and the quietest 2015 (66 estimated visits).

The single most common ER diagnosis for baby mattresses or pads is internal injury to the head, accounting for approximately 1,073 visits across the 20-year NEISS window, followed by contusions, abr. to the head (462 cases). The 0-4 age group absorbs the largest share of injuries, about 3,740 cases over the NEISS window, and males appear slightly more often than the opposite sex in that cohort. Severity outcomes from the NEISS disposition field show that 7.5% of ER visits involving this product end in hospital admission or transfer, and a small fraction (0.21%) result in fatality.

Beyond the hospital-sampled NEISS projections, this page also aggregates 87 consumer incident reports filed directly on SaferProducts.gov, plus 20 anonymized ER narratives - together forming a layered picture of how baby mattresses or pads fail in real households. Every figure on this page comes from CPSC-published data: NEISS projects national estimates from a probability sample of about 100 U.S. hospital emergency departments, while SaferProducts.gov collects voluntary reports from consumers, manufacturers, and clinicians. The danger score, trend indicators, and demographic breakdowns update automatically when CPSC releases a new yearly NEISS file, which is why this page is dated 2024-12-31. For regulatory context, consult CPSC recall notices and the SaferProducts.gov public database linked below.

256
Injuries / Year
7.5%
Hospitalization Rate
0.21%
Fatality Rate

Annual Injury Estimates (2005–2024)

0200400600 20052008201120142017202020232024 182
Estimated annual emergency-room visits for Baby Mattresses Or Pads, CPSC NEISS

Source: CPSC NEISS national injury estimates As of 2024

Source: CPSC NEISS national estimates CPSC NEISS national estimates Injuries represent ER-treated cases only

Who Gets Injured?

Age Group Male Female Total
0-4 2,230 1,510 3,740
5-14 241 252 493
15-24 81 0 81
25-34 72 222 294
35-44 16 62 78
45-54 0 154 154
55-64 0 60 60
65-74 0 71 71
75+ 0 157 157

Most Common Injuries

Body Part Diagnosis Est. Injuries
Head Internal Injury 1,073
Head Contusions, Abr. 462
Not Stated/unk Other 429
Elbow Dislocation 330
Ankle Strain, Sprain 200
Lower Trunk Fracture 154
Toe Fracture 141
Upper Arm Fracture 139
Face Foreign Body 129
Lower Arm Other 98
Lower Trunk Other 94
Head Concussion 93
Lower Leg Contusions, Abr. 92
Face Laceration 88
Upper Trunk Other 84

Severity Breakdown

Treated/examined And Released 92.5% (4,754)
Treated And Admitted/hospitalized 5.5% (282)
Treated And Transferred 1.5% (78)
Fatality Incl. Doa, Died In Er 0.2% (12)
Held For Observation 0.1% (6)
Left Without Being Seen 0.1% (5)

ER Visit Narratives

Real anonymized emergency room reports from the CPSC NEISS database.

Age 3 · Male · Face · Other · 2024

3YOM WAS PLAYING W/ HIS BROTHER ON A PADDED CARPET TODAY AT HOME WHEN HE FELL ON THE MAT. DX: L FACIAL SWELLING

Age 205 · Male · Mouth · Laceration · 2024

5MOM WAS ON A BABY MAT ON MOM'S BED AT HOME AND HE WAS KICKING HIS LEGS CAUSING THE MAT TO SLIP OFF THE BED, PT FELL FROM ABOUT 5FT HEIGHT TO THE FLOOR. DX: SMALL FRENULUM LAC

Age 207 · Male · Not Stated/unk · Other · 2024

7MOM WITH BED BUG BITES. MOM STATES THAT ABOUT A WEEK AGO PATIENT STARTED GETTING BITES ON HIS BODY. MOM REPORTS THAT HAS BEEN WAKING UP IN HIS CRIB MOST MORNINGS WITH MORE BITES. MOM STATES THAT A FEW WEEKS AGO THEY DID BUY A USED CRIB MATTRESS. THEY DID NOTICE 2 BEDBUGS ON THE MATTRESS BUT DID NOT SEE ANY MORE.

Age 3 · Male · Neck · Derma/conjunct · 2023

3YOM WOKE UP FROM A NAP ON HIS MAT AT DAYCARE WITH RASH TO NECK&BACK DX: RASH

Age 205 · Male · Head · Internal Injury · 2023

5MOM MOTHER OF CHILD REPORTS THE CHILD TRIPPED AND HIT HIS HEAD ON MATTRESS OF HIS CRIB, CHILD APPREARED LETHARGIC AFTER FALL DX: FALL, INTRACTABLE VOMITING, FUSSINESS IN BABY

Age 201 · Male · Not Stated/unk · Other · 2023

1mom was in an infant lounger/seat (***) on a bed when mom tried to move the lounger and he fell out onto carpeted floor. DX: no injury.

Age 220 · Male · Lower Leg · Strain, Sprain · 2023

20 MOM FELL ONTO A SOFT MATTRESS. DX LEG SPRAIN

Age 19 · Male · Foot · Other · 2022

19YOM COMES TO THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT WITH COMPLAINT OF FOOT CONTUSION PATIENT INADVERTENTLY DROPPED A BASSINET MATTRESS ON HIS RIGHT FOOT THE NIGHT PRIOR DX: PAIN IN LEFT FOOT

Age 3 · Female · Face · Foreign Body · 2022

3YOF PT STUCK A PIECE OF A FOAM FROM HER MATTRESS UP HER LT NOSTRIL DX FOREIGN BODY LT NOSTRIL

Age 2 · Male · Elbow · Dislocation · 2022

2YOM TO ER FOR LEFT ARM PAIN, PT WAS SITTING IN BED FLEXING HIS LEFT WRIST AGAINST THE MATTRESS & DRINKING A BOTTLE WHHEN HE HAD SUDDEN ONSET OF LEFT ARM PAIN DX NURSEMAIDS ELBOW OF LEFT UPPER EXTREMITY

Age 3 · Female · Face · Foreign Body · 2022

3YOF R NOSTRIL FB IS A PIECE OF FOAM FROM CHILDS MATTRESSDX FB NOSTRIL

Age 7 · Female · Upper Trunk · Other · 2022

7YOF- PT & COUSIN PLAYING WHEN COUSIN FOLDED HER INTO A CRIB MATTRESS WITH HER FACE ON HER KNEES THEN JUMPED ONTO THE MATTRESS PT WITH PAIN TO BACK. DX: BACK SPASM.

Consumer Incident Reports

Reports filed by consumers on SaferProducts.gov.

9/8/2021 · No Incident, No Injury · deocco LLC · Virginia

As a safe sleep educator and advocate, I know what this article states is false but wanted to bring it to your attention, especially as it states that it is endorsed by AAP which it is not. [REDACTED]

9/28/2011 · Incident, No Injury · Kolcraft Enterprises, Inc. · Connecticut

The mattress is being used in a crib. The material that surrounds the mattress is unsafe for babies and causes indents in the mattress. My baby is 3 months old and these indents have caused her to roll and lean in the bed. I contacted the company and they said that the material doesn't "bounce back quickly." I have had this problem for approximately 3 weeks and I even tried flipping the mattress, but the same thing happens. I have never seen it improve or "bounce back." I am concerned that this is a safety issue that, if a newborn or young baby were to roll onto their stomach because of it, it can cause suffocation.

9/2/2022 · Incident, No Injury · The Baby Snuggle · Oregon

I saw a [REDACTED] ad for something called “baby snuggle me” portable baby bed. In the ad they specifically mention that you can put this into a crib or bassinet. This does not follow safe sleep standards for babies.

9/2/2011 · Injury, Hospital Admission · Toy's R Us · Colorado

i had followed the installation instructions to a "T". so when it came time for the baby and i to leave the hospital,([redacted]) i found my baby was scrunched and turned blue! because the support slid no matter what. i hurried and told my husband to turn back around ( we hadn't even left the parking lot) while i was giving infant CPR and he was quickly admitted to the E.R. where they called the NICU to handle the situation. after days in the NICU, after many grueling tests, in which they found nothing wrong. the nurses gave him what is called a "car seat challenge" they found that he did fine in his carseat, the neonatologist entered the room and quickly told us that it's sad that so many stores carry these items "which shouldn't even be in production" but if it is Not built into the carseat, DO NOT PUT ANYTHING IN IT! because of this product, our newborn son was admitted to the NICU for a week and racked up $22,000 in bills. all of you new parents heed the warning that Dr's told me "Steer clear of these products" for your child's safety and your emotional sake!

9/11/2014 · Death · Kolcraft Enterprises, Inc. · Maryland

Subject is a 7 month old white male with no PMH. Today subject was laid in crib on his back after second feeding by mother. At around 1225 hrs mother went in to check on subject because he hadn't awoke and found him unresponsive in crib. Subject's head was wedged in between crib mattress and bars of crib and his body and legs were hanging out the bottom of the crib below the mattress. Mother started to scream because she was unable to free subject and father came into room and started to break crib apart. Medics called. Subject transported to Bayview. Per police subject had bar marks on right side of face. Father stated subject was cold too the touch when he was trying to remove him from crib. Scene was townhouse where subject lived with mother, father, and four siblings. Subject had bedroom in upper level of residence. Crib subject slept in was older style with drop down side. Father broke side when trying to free subject. Unable to get manufacturer information off crib - unable to locate it. Mattress was Walmart brand - Model # KM109-AABP serial # UM02. Mattress was still covered in plastic and appeared to be in good condition. Crib had sheet on mattress. Two additional blankets, one pillow, and a stuffed animal were noted in crib on side by subject's feet. Room is cluttered with baby stuff - food,toys, etc. Room is cooled with window unit air conditioner and is comfortable temperature. Floors are carpeted. Side bar that enables crib side to go down partially broken by father when he pulled subject out in resus effort. Crib is intact other than broken side bar. Subject passed away at Johns Hopkins Bayview Hospital.

8/30/2012 · Incident, No Injury · NATIONAL SLEEP PRODUCTS · Michigan

Sealy crib mattress pad shrinks with washings. When put on crib mattress, it compacts the mattress length, leaving a 3 to 4 inch space between the mattress and crib. There were no injuries, I cut the side fabric so it would not pull.

8/20/2024 · No Incident, No Injury · Avocado Mattress LLC · United States

My 2 year old was complaining that her crib was broken and that her back hurts. I felt her mattress and noticed that is at lumps and indents in it. The innerspring coil system has failed. This is the Avocado crib mattress. The product is being used on the Babyletto Peggy crib.

8/19/2022 · Death · Blue Box OpCo LLC · Vermont

Infant died after falling asleep in Infantino 2-in-1 Tummy Time & Seated Support. Family cat also implicated

Showing 8 of 87 reports.

Product Recalls

Search for active and past recalls related to baby mattresses or pads on the CPSC website.

Frequently Asked Questions

How dangerous are baby mattresses or pads?

Based on 20 years of CPSC data, baby mattresses or pads have a danger score of 36/100 (low risk). An estimated 256 ER-treated injuries occur annually in the U.S. related to this product category.

What are the most common injuries from baby mattresses or pads?

The most common injury is internal injury to the head, accounting for approximately 1,073 injuries over 20 years.

Are injuries from baby mattresses or pads increasing or decreasing?

Up 41% over 5 years.

Who is most at risk for baby mattresses or pads injuries?

The 0-4 age group accounts for the most injuries, with approximately 3,740 cases recorded over 20 years. Males are more frequently injured in this age group.

What happens when someone is injured by baby mattresses or pads?

Of all ER visits involving baby mattresses or pads, approximately 7.5% result in hospital admission. The majority of patients (92.5%) are treated and released from the emergency department.

How can I report a safety problem with baby mattresses or pads?

You can file a consumer incident report at SaferProducts.gov, the official CPSC reporting portal. Reports help the CPSC identify emerging hazards and trigger investigations or recalls. You can also call the CPSC hotline at 1-800-638-2772.

Safety Guides

What this means for you

Treat the 36/100 score as relative risk between products, not your personal odds of injury.

  • See where this category ranks against every other tracked product. Full rankings
  • Injuries cluster in the 0-4 age group, take extra care if that describes your household.
  • Check for active recalls on this product before you assume it is safe. CPSC recalls

NEISS estimates ER-treated injuries from a national probability sample of hospitals; they do not capture injuries treated elsewhere or not treated at all.

Data: CPSC National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) 2005–2024 and SaferProducts.gov consumer incident reports. Injury estimates are based on a nationally representative probability sample of U.S. hospital emergency departments. This page is for informational purposes only and is not affiliated with the CPSC.