California Code § 102425(b): Crib Safety Requirements

📋Type B Violation🏢Affects: Family Child Care Homes

What Is California Code § 102425(b): Crib Safety Requirements?

California Code § 102425(b)

Cribs or play yards shall be free from all loose articles and objects.

💡Insider's Tips

Inspectors don't just glance at the crib. They'll pick up the mattress, check corners, and run their hand along the sheet looking for anything loose. Bumper pads, blankets, stuffed animals, even a pacifier clip with a ribbon can get you written up. The biggest trigger is during nap checks when they walk through and find a blanket someone tossed in to comfort a crying baby. Keep a basket outside each crib for personal items so staff aren't tempted to put anything inside. A verbal reminder usually happens once, but if they see it a second visit, it's documented.

facilities cited recently

That's 1 in 1667 facilities

counties affected

most common citation

→

Stable

Last 90 days vs. previous 90 days

25 facilities (was 27)2 facilities

Source: California CCLD inspection records | Data: last 90 days as of Feb 16, 2026

How to Avoid Crib Safety Requirements Citations

✓ Prevention Checklist

Install proper fencing around all outdoor play areas used by children
Ensure fencing is of adequate height to prevent climbing
Maintain gates and locks in good working condition
Regularly inspect fencing for damage or security issues
Prevent unauthorized access to play areas when children are present

❌ Common Mistakes

Placing a thin blanket or muslin swaddle in the crib 'just for comfort.' Staff assume lightweight fabric is safe, but inspectors document any loose article regardless of material weight.
Using crib sheets that don't fit tightly around the mattress. Providers buy generic sheets that bunch or pull up at corners, and inspectors flag loose-fitting sheets as a suffocation hazard.
Leaving pacifier clips, teething toys, or loveys inside the crib during sleep. Parents send these items and staff place them in the crib out of habit, but anything not permanently attached to the child's clothing gets cited.
Storing extra supplies like diapers or wipes on the crib mattress between nap times. Staff use empty cribs as temporary storage, then forget to clear them before putting a child down. Inspectors check cribs even when they're unoccupied.
Attaching mobiles or hanging toys within reach of infants in the crib. Providers install them thinking they're developmental tools, but CCLD considers anything a child can grab and pull into the sleep space a violation.

What's Being Cited in Each Region Over the Past 90 Days

Based on facility inspection reports filed with California's Community Care Licensing Division, here's how this citation appears across different regions in the past 90 days.

Santa Clara County

4 citations

Alameda County

3 citations

Riverside County

3 citations

Glenn County

2 citations

Imperial County

2 citations

San Diego County

2 citations

Kern County

1 citations

Modoc County

1 citations

Orange County

1 citations

Sutter County

1 citations

Data updated weekly from CCLD public records. Last update: 2/16/2026

See California Code § 102425(b): Crib Safety Requirements Citations in Your County

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Crib Safety Requirements?

California Code 102425(b) requires that cribs and play yards be completely free of all loose articles and objects during use. This covers everything from blankets and stuffed animals to pacifier clips, teething toys, and even loose-fitting sheets, with no exceptions based on material weight or size. For your facility, this means every crib must be bare except for a tight-fitting sheet before any child is placed down to sleep.

How common is the Crib Safety Requirements citation?

According to California CCLD inspection records as of February 08, 2026, 23 facilities have been cited for this violation in the past 90 days across 11 California counties. That works out to roughly 1 in 1,739 inspected facilities receiving this citation. San Diego, Los Angeles, and Riverside each account for 4 citations, with Santa Clara close behind at 3. While the overall rate is low, this citation tends to cluster in larger metro areas where facility volume is highest.

What triggers this citation during an inspection?

Inspectors physically check cribs during nap time and between uses. They'll lift the mattress, run their hand along the sheet to test the fit, and look inside for anything that doesn't belong. Based on CCLD inspection patterns, the most common trigger is a staff member placing a thin blanket or muslin swaddle in the crib to comfort a fussy baby. Pacifier clips with ribbons, teething toys left behind by parents, and even diapers stored on an empty crib mattress all get documented.

How can I prevent this citation?

Place a labeled basket or bin outside each crib where staff can store a child's personal items, comfort objects, and pacifiers between sleep periods. Do a visual sweep of every crib before and after each nap cycle, and train staff that nothing goes inside except the child and a tight-fitting sheet. Post a one-line reminder at eye level near the cribs: "Check crib, clear crib, lay child down."

What should I do if I receive this citation?

Remove every loose item from all cribs immediately and photograph each empty crib as documentation. Replace any loose-fitting sheets with properly sized ones that snap tight around the mattress corners. Hold a same-day staff meeting to review the bare-crib rule, then document the meeting with sign-in sheets and talking points for your correction plan. Submit your Plan of Correction within the required timeframe. For complex situations, consider consulting a licensed childcare compliance specialist.

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This information is educational and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed childcare compliance consultant for guidance specific to your facility. Citation data is sourced from California Community Care Licensing Division public records and is refreshed regularly.

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