Nursery safety tips
There's a lot to think about when designing a nursery from choosing a crib to choosing wall decor to where you'll store all those cute baby clothes. But don't forget the most important thing: make sure the room is safe for your child. Here, with the help of the American Academy of Pediatrics, we've put together top nursery safety tips to help you set up a room free of common hazards. Childproofing is very important, especially in a nursery where your little one will spend more than a few hours unsupervised. So take action now to make sure it's a safe environment for your little one.
General Safety Recommendations P.1
- Keep drapery and blind cords out of baby's reach from the crib and changing table.
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Place a working smoke detector in or near your child's bedroom.
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Make sure that window guards are securely in place to prevent a child from falling out the window.
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Never place a crib, playpen, or other children's furniture near a window.
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Put plastic outlet protectors over all unused electrical outlets.
General Safety Recommendations P.2
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Make sure your child's toy box doesn't have a heavy, hinged lid that could trap your child.
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Place non-slip pads under all area rugs.
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Avoid floor lamps which can be easily pulled over.
- Avoid placing table lamps and other heavy decorative items on tablecloths.
- One good tug is all it takes to pull everything down.
Your checklist of things to check at the crib
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Remove bumper pads, toys, pillows and stuffed animals from the crib by the time baby can pull up to stand.
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Remove all crib gyms, hanging toys and decorations from the crib by the time baby can get up on his hands and knees.
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Make sure the crib has no elevated corner posts or decorative cutouts in the end panels.
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Make sure slots on crib are no more than 2 3/8 inches apart.
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Make sure that all screws, bolts, and hardware - including mattress supports - are in tight to prevent the crib from collapsing.
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Fit the crib mattress snugly, without any gaps, so baby can't slip in between the crack and the crib side.
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Make sure there are no plastic bags or other plastic material in or around the crib.
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Check the crib for small parts and pieces that baby could choke on.
- The wood should be smooth with no splinters and if the crib's painted, make sure the paint isn't peeling.
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Make sure the night-light is not near or touching drapes or a bedspread where it could start a fire.
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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.
* Don't wait for your space to be child-proof. Newborn may look perfectly innocent but before you know that little bundle of joy will become a bouncing bundle of toddler trouble! Better to be prepared now than surprised later.
