Baby Nursery Safety
It can be overwhelming becoming a parent for the first time, or having another baby after your other kids have been out of the infant stage for years. While having a baby is the ultimate joy in life, parents need to prepare thoroughly for the arrival of the little one in order to keep him safe at home.
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Sleeping
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Do not place pillows or large stuffed animals in cribs. A baby is not yet strong enough to lift her head off of a soft pillow if accidentally landing face down on it. From January 2006 to May 2008, 47 reported cases of infant deaths occurred due to pillow usage, reports the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Make sure the mattress is firm, and place the baby to bed on her back to avoid Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
Decor
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Dangling cords attract a baby's attention and can cause strangulation. Do not place the crib next to a window and avoid window treatments such as curtains and blinds with hanging cords. Place baby monitors, lamps and other objects with cords away from the crib and out of reach. Install window guards, but make sure the window can be opened easily by an adult for an emergency fire exit. Hang pictures or decorations high above the crib and out of reach.
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Toys
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Be conscious of what you and others bring into the nursery. Scan the room whenever entering for small objects which can pose choking hazards. Younger siblings do not realize the hazards they may be bringing into the nursery. Inspect all toys for pointed edges or small parts that can come loose, and store them in open baskets or bins without lids to prevent finger pinching and other accidents.
Furniture
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Check that all furniture is stable and unable to be pulled or pushed over by the baby as he gains strength and begins to crawl. When using the changing table, do not turn your back on the baby. Use the safety belt, if one is provided. Use a secure crib that meets safety standards. Check for sharp edges and large gaps between the rungs and other crib parts through which a baby's head, arms or legs can slip through and cause harm. The CPSC advises that no more than two fingers be able to fit between the mattress and the sides of the crib.
Protection
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Place the baby powder, baby oil, diapers, wipes and other items at a height unreachable to the baby, and secure the cabinet with a child safety lock. Place childproof covers on all unused electrical outlets. Make sure night lights cannot be pulled out by the baby and are a safe distance away from bedding, drapery and other flammable materials. Install a smoke detector in or near the nursery.
Final Tips
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Before bringing in the baby, perform a final check of the room for potential hazards. Crawl on the floor to inspect the room from a baby's point-of-view. Stay informed of safety recalls on toys, furniture and other items. Ere on the side of caution and get rid of any items that make the CPSC recall list.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit baby_8 image by Mykola Velychko from Fotolia.com
