Portable Cribs
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 1529
Stable over 5 years
The verdict
Portable Cribs carry a danger score of 38/100 (low risk), driven by roughly 174 ER-treated injuries a year that are roughly flat over the last five years.
- 38/100
- danger score (low risk)
- 174
- ER visits per year (avg)
- 8.4%
- end in hospital admission
- 0-4
- most-injured age group
Every figure is rendered from the CPSC NEISS record for product code 1529 - last data year 2024.
PlainSafety danger score
How this 38/100 score is built
The score is computed from four CPSC-derived factors for portable cribs - no opinion, no editorializing:
- Injury volume174 ER visits/yr
- Severity (hospitalization rate)8.4%
- Fatality rate1.02%
- 5-year trend-9%
See the full methodology for the exact weighting of each factor.
What the CPSC Data Shows
Portable Cribs (CPSC product code 1529, in the Nursery & Baby Products category) generate an estimated 174 emergency-room visits every year in the United States, adding up to roughly 3,476 ER-treated injuries across the 20-year span from 2005 to 2024. PlainSafety derives a danger score of 38/100 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 roughly flat over the last five years, with the busiest year on record being 2021 (312 estimated ER visits) and the quietest 2006 (26 estimated visits).
The single most common ER diagnosis for portable cribs is internal injury to the head, accounting for approximately 582 visits across the 20-year NEISS window, followed by contusions, abr. to the head (276 cases). The 0-4 age group absorbs the largest share of injuries, about 2,432 cases over the NEISS window, and females appear slightly more often than the opposite sex in that cohort. Severity outcomes from the NEISS disposition field show that 8.4% of ER visits involving this product end in hospital admission or transfer, and a small fraction (1.02%) result in fatality.
Beyond the hospital-sampled NEISS projections, this page also aggregates 53 consumer incident reports filed directly on SaferProducts.gov, plus 20 anonymized ER narratives - together forming a layered picture of how portable cribs 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.
Annual Injury Estimates (2005–2024)
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 | 1,024 | 1,408 | |
| 5-14 | 28 | 161 | |
| 15-24 | 90 | 32 | |
| 25-34 | 15 | 64 | |
| 35-44 | 17 | 0 | |
| 45-54 | 0 | 292 | |
| 55-64 | 136 | 0 | |
| 65-74 | 0 | 115 | |
| 75+ | 0 | 98 |
Most Common Injuries
| Body Part | Diagnosis | Est. Injuries |
|---|---|---|
| Head | Internal Injury | |
| Head | Contusions, Abr. | |
| Lower Arm | Fracture | |
| Elbow | Contusions, Abr. | |
| Face | Hematoma | |
| Face | Contusions, Abr. | |
| Finger | Laceration | |
| Elbow | Dislocation | |
| Face | Laceration | |
| Upper Trunk | Contusions, Abr. | |
| Foot | Contusions, Abr. | |
| Face | Fracture | |
| Lower Leg | Contusions, Abr. | |
| Shoulder | Strain, Sprain | |
| Lower Leg | Fracture |
Severity Breakdown
ER Visit Narratives
Real anonymized emergency room reports from the CPSC NEISS database.
19MOM FROM HOME HAD A FALL OUT OF A PORTABLE CRIB TO THE FLOOR STRIKING HIS HEAD DX: CONTUSION OF SCALP
16MOM PRESENTS WITH SUSTAINING AN UNWITNESSED FALL. PT WAS IN A PORTER CRIB, WHICH MOM STATES IS CLOSER TO THE GROUND THAN A TRADITIONAL CRIB, WHEN HE FELL OUT ONTO THE WOODEN FLOOR. FALL WAS UNWITNESSED AND FAMILY IS UNSURE IF HE HIT HIS HEAD. SMALL FRONTAL FOREHEAD BRUISE <1CM X 1CM, DX: FALL
20YOM HAS HISTORY OF CEREBRAL PALSY WAS IN HIS CRIB BUT FELL OUT, IT WAS UNWITNESSED. DX CHI, FOREHEAD CONTUSION
10MOM PRESENTS WITH DOG BITE TO HIS FACE. MOTHER REPORTS THAT FAMILY DOG BIT HIS FACE WHILE HE WAS LYING IN HIS CRIB.REPORTS DOG IS OTHERWISE ACTING NORMALLY, UP-TO-DATE ON SHOTS. AS IS PT. DX: OPEN WOUND OF FACE DUE TO DOG BITE
8MOM PRESENTED AT ED C/O OF VOMITING. PT FELL FROM A 2 FEET HIGH CRIB TO THE FLOOR. DID NOT LOSE CONSCIOUSNESS AND CRIED IMMEDIATELY. MOM WAS UNSURE IF HE HIT HIS HEAD WITH A TABLE ON A SIDE. PT DEVELOPED A SMALL BUMP ON THE FOREHEAD. THEN HE HAD HIS MILK AND HAD 3-4 EPISODES OF VOMITING. ACTING LIKE HIMSELF. SUSTAINED HEMATOMA TO THE FOREHEAD. DX: VOMITING
2YOF CLIMBED OUT OF HER CRIB AT HOME AND FELL, LANDING ON LEFT LEG DX: CLOSED FRACTURE OF LEFT TIBIA
60YOM WAS MOVING A TODDLER CRIB WHEN HE TRIPPED ON THE BASEMENT FLOOR AND HIT HIS EYE ON ONE OF THE CRIB POST. HE HAS A LACERATION AND SEVERE PAIN. DX: TRAUMATIC MYDRAISIS, SUBCONJUNCTIVAL HEMORRHAGE OF RIGHT EYE, CLOSED FRACTURE OF ORBIT
18MOF WAS IN A PORTABLE CRIB IN ANOTHER ROOM, HER MOM SAID SHE HAD CLIMBED OUT OF THE CRIB BUT WAS UNSEEN, SHE IS USING HER RIGHT UPPER EXTREMITY BUT NOT HER LEFT AS MUCH DX: RIGHT RADIUS AND ULNAR BUCKLE FRACTURE
4YOM WAS RUNNING THROUGH HOUSE WHEN HIS LEFT 5TH TOE GOT CAUGHT ON A TOY TENT, PULLING THE TOE TO THE SIDE. DX: LEFT FOOT INJURY
4 YOF PLAYING WITH SISTER AND FELL, HIT HEAD ON A ***. DX FOREHEAD LACERATION
70 YOF - PATIENT WAS MOVING A PORTABLE CRIP AND ACCIDENTALLY DROPPED ON LEFT FOOT @ HOME. PATIENT IS ON *** DX: LACERATION AND CONTUSION LEFT FOOT
13MOF FELL OUT OF PORTABLE CRIB, DX: CONT OF MOUTH
Consumer Incident Reports
Reports filed by consumers on SaferProducts.gov.
(05/15/2023) The consumer has a safety concern about the hard sharp plastic blocks that look like bricks. They are located on each end of the crib. The issue is when the mattress is in its lowest position and the blocks are visible. One of the children in the consumer's care scratched his head on the blocks. No medical attention was required. I am sending pictures Wood crib - my 1st = smooth round edges all the way around 2nd White crib - 2nd very sharp - scratch a 6mo head. All the way around. 3rd Grab Crib - 3rd - Very sharp + wood base is glued together? So cheap?
Crib has unstable base. Baby crib. My 5 month old son is using crib for his sleeping. Injury might be happening soon because crib has moving base and part and we installed very prefactly. But still because it has manufactured defects or I dont know what crib has no alignments and base is unsecured.
My father had purchased Willowbrook 4 in 1 convertible crib last May for my daughter. It was purchased online from Walmart and was made by M Design. When my daughter was using it, she was teething and bit right through the wood and paint on the crib. This damage is located on the outer railings of the crib. The piece of wood that came off the railings has not been found but luckily, my daughter didn't swallow it. Poison control was notified and they had informed me that paint chipping is normal. The receipt, crib damage, crib sticker pictures were all forwarded to M Design. We contacted M Design on 9/22/2022 by phone and email and requested an improved model replacement but they denied the request. They told me that the crib broke because of my daughters excessive teething and not the crib itself. Please note that my daughters teething is normal and is constantly monitored by medical professionals. In addition to denying my daughter a new crib, there was no mention from M Design to take our original crib back to make sure this wasnt in fact a product defect or due to lack of sanding on their part. My child could have been seriously injured or worse from this crib. The crib was installed correctly and my daughter (14 months old) was the only one using it to sleep in.
I just woke up to my 11 month old screaming. It was not a normal scream and he was so loud, I ran into the bedroom next to mine to find that his leg was stuck in between the bars of the crib i attempted to break the bar so I could free his leg and it would not break easily, I had to have his godmother wake up and run upstairs with a bottle of lotion which we used to finally after 8 long minutes free his leg! It appears to be very red, swollen, and also looks like it is going to be bruised tomorrow. This is a big safety issue!
I heard my baby screaming. Mothers instinct I knew something was wrong. It wasnt the normal Im hungry. I walk into my babys bedroom and he is face down, neck is stuck in between mattress and under the bed. He could have choked himself to death. His neck was scratched and red. I am very lucky that it wasnt worst.
After only 6 months of use the wood on one of the bars of a crib purchased from Delta Children (Emma 4-in-1 convertible crib, Simmons Kids brand, Style #: 327150-026, Lot:QW22043, Date: 202202) has begun to chip and splinter from the bar and has enabled my 9 MO to pick away at it with his fingers. There is no sign of the baby chewing or biting the bar, so this appears to be a defect with the wood itself rather than damage incurred by the baby. This poses a high choking risk and it is possible my child consumed pieces of wood from the crib.
I am looking to purchase a mini crib for my four-month-old son. The top recommended brand is the dream on me brand. It is the number one best seller. It comes with a small changing mat but recommends that you purchase a mattress additionally. They recommend purchasing their brand of mini mattress. Upon further investigation of the product specifications, the manual states to use a mattress no thicker than 2 inches. All of their mattresses are well over 3 inches for the mini crib. They are purposely misleading parents and Amazon is currently recommending buying both the mattress and the crib together. When I search their website, they do not sell a mattress that fits their safety specifications. Even worse, there is no mattress on the market that fits their safety recommendations. This product is sold through many stores and parents are purchasing a mattress that isnt safe according to their own manual. As a new mother, this is extremely upsetting to me. Here is an example of one of their products Dream On Me Aden 4-in-1 Convertible Mini Crib in White, Greenguard Gold Certified https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006Z2C032/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_YWYPEVG474HFNASMZQJF
On 08/08/2022, I purchased the Oxford Baby crib manufactured by M Design Village and sold at Walmart locations in California and online, model Harper 4 In 1 Convertible Crib, Dove Gray with Model Number: 67011550 for my 10 month old grandbaby on her visit from Denver. The crib was delivered and assembled on 08/15/2022. On 08/26/2022 I started to wipe down the crib side railings at the front of the crib and suffered a very large wood splintered into my finger through the cloth which is lodged there and painful. Upon inspection, several of the crib railings are very rough and some are splintering and this is very dangerous for an infant child or anyone. I registered this product with the manufacturer on 08/19/2022 and have the product registration verification. 1. Refund $246.75 which is the $140.00 cost of the crib, $89.00 assembly fee from [REDACTED], and California state sales tax. 2) File an injury claim with their insurance adjuster and have the adjuster come to inspect and retrieve the crib evidence. 3) Respond to the consumer protection complaint as to measures they will take to protect little babies from injury.
Showing 8 of 53 reports.
Product Recalls
Search for active and past recalls related to portable cribs on the CPSC website.
Frequently Asked Questions
How dangerous are portable cribs?
Based on 20 years of CPSC data, portable cribs have a danger score of 38/100 (low risk). An estimated 174 ER-treated injuries occur annually in the U.S. related to this product category.
What are the most common injuries from portable cribs?
The most common injury is internal injury to the head, accounting for approximately 582 injuries over 20 years.
Are injuries from portable cribs increasing or decreasing?
Stable over 5 years.
Who is most at risk for portable cribs injuries?
The 0-4 age group accounts for the most injuries, with approximately 2,432 cases recorded over 20 years. Females are more frequently injured in this age group.
What happens when someone is injured by portable cribs?
Of all ER visits involving portable cribs, approximately 8.4% result in hospital admission. The majority of patients (91.5%) are treated and released from the emergency department.
How can I report a safety problem with portable cribs?
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.
Related Products in Nursery & Baby Products
Safety Guides
What this means for you
Treat the 38/100 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.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, scored, and verified.