In the olden days, babies here were usually placed in a cradle that were mostly improvised. It is a blanket that is tied in 2 posts like a hammock where the baby would sleep. The parent would tie a cord to be pulled so that will calm the baby. But that hammock was a risk since the baby could fall. Fortunately parents now prefer the crib so that the baby is safe until his first birthday.
Right, no way I would put a baby in anything less than 100 percent safe. However, though, I bet the probability of falling was low. I mean, it's the same with most things. For instance, I don't think most people riding without a seat-belt will even get in an accident, but of the minority that do - it's a bad thing (probably fatal)!