Making the Nursery Safe for Baby
Article Source: Child.com
Safety Basics
You and your baby will be spending a lot of time in the nursery, so take steps now to make sure it's a secure environment for your little one. Here are some safety tips:
- Keep drapery and blind cords out of baby's reach from the crib and changing table.
- Place a working smoke detector in or near your child's bedroom.
- Make sure that window guards are securely in place to prevent a child from falling out the window.
- Never place a crib, playpen, or other children's furniture near a window.
- Put plug protectors in unused electrical outlets.
- Make sure your child's toy box doesn't have a heavy, hinged lid that could trap your child.
- Use a cool-air humidifier instead of a vaporizer--to avoid burns. Clean it frequently, and empty it when not in use to prevent bacteria and mold growth.
The Changing Table
- Use a safety belt on the changing table.
- Keep baby powder and other supplies out of baby's reach when changing.
- Never leave a child unattended on a changing table.
- Put carpet or a nonskid rug beneath the crib and changing table.
The Crib
- Remove bumper pads, toys, pillows, and stuffed animals from the crib by the time baby can pull up to stand.
- Remove all crib gyms, hanging toys, and decorations from the crib by the time baby can get up on his hands and knees.
- Make sure the crib has no elevated corner posts or decorative cutouts in the end panels.
- Fit the crib mattress snugly, without any gaps, so baby can't slip in between the crack and the crib side.
- Make sure slots on crib are no more than 2 3/8 inches apart.
- Make sure that all screws, bolts, and hardware -- including mattress supports -- are in tight to prevent the crib from collapsing.
- Make sure there are no plastic bags or other plastic material in or around the crib.
- Check the crib for small parts and pieces that baby could choke on.
- Make sure the night-light is not near or touching drapes or a bedspread where it could start a fire.
- To reduce the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome), put baby to sleep on her back in a crib with a firm, flat mattress -- no soft bedding underneath her.