HOW TO BABY-PROOF WORDS: www.consumersafety.org
• Babies can strangle on cords, so never
Your baby will spend many hours in
their nursery, so it’s important to make
this space as safe as possible when
baby-proofing your home. From sleep time
to playtime, each area of your nursery should
protect your curious infant from harm. Plus,
your nursery needs to be safe for a growing
infant, even as they transition from sitting
to crawling to walking, which may let them
reach places you never thought possible.
Most of the time spent in a nursery is used
changing a baby’s diaper, or during sleep
time. This means that your baby’s sleep
and changing areas are the most important
spaces to keep safe.
Crib or Bassinet
Both the Consumer Product Safety
Commission (CPSC) and the American
Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend
the use of a crib, bassinet, or play yard for
naps and nighttime sleep. Babies under 12
months of age, should be put to sleep on
their back in a crib with a firm mattress and a
fitted sheet. Additionally, the CPSC and AAP
advise parents and caregivers to adhere to
the following safety rules:
• Keep pillows, blankets, and bumpers out
of the sleep environment.
• Make sure there are no gaps larger than
two fingers between the sides of the crib
and the mattress. The slats and corner
posts of a crib should be no more than 2
3/8 inches apart.
• Do not use a crib with a drop side rail.
• Follow the instructions provided and
make sure every part is installed correctly.
Tighten all parts and make sure no sharp
edges or rough areas are exposed. Call the
manufacturer with any questions.
• Do not use cribs that are more than 10
years old or broken or modified. Infants
can strangle themselves to death if their
bodies pass through gaps between loose
components or broken slats while their
heads remain entrapped.
• Set up play yards properly, according to
the manufacturer’s directions. Only use the
mattress pad provided with the play yard;
do not add extra padding.
Many parents are guilty of assuming their
own child is advanced, and can handle the
toy marked for ages 3+. Keep in mind that
those choking hazard warnings were added
to the packaging for a reason—to keep your
little one safe.
Window Treatments
• Keep all furniture away from the window
and use window guards.
• Cut the blind and curtain cords or put
them out of reach for when your baby is
older and able to grab onto them. The
CPSC recommends using cordless window
coverings in homes with young children.
• Avoid long decorative curtains, or curtains
with cords that the baby might pull down.
• Install window guards to stop a curious
baby from opening the window as they get
older.
Furniture and Decorations
• Finish all painting in the nursery at least
eight weeks before bringing baby home. If
possible, use paint with low levels of volatile
organic compounds (VOCs).
• Look around for loose rugs or other items
on the floor that can be a tripping hazard
for any adults who walk in the room. Secure
area rugs to the floor with double-sided tape.
• Never place art above the baby’s crib.
Hung paintings can fall, or be pulled down
by a curious toddler, and cause injury to the
baby.
• Make sure all furniture (bookcases,
dressers, changing tables, storage bins) are
securely fastened to the wall with braces or
anchors.
• Install safety latches on dresser drawers,
so your baby can’t try to climb them as they
become more mobile.
• Avoid using a toy chest with a lid. Heavy
lids can fall and trap your baby, if they
manage to crawl into the toy chest to find
their favorite plaything. Instead, use a basket
or bin without a lid to store toys.
• If you have a stairway directly outside
the nursery door, you need to install a baby
gate that screws into the wall or doorjamb.
place a crib near a window with blinds,
curtain cords or baby monitor cords.
Mobiles
Whether you choose a mobile that hangs
from the ceiling, or one that attaches to the
crib, safe installation and mobile choice is
imperative for a safe nursery.
• Always make sure a mobile is out of the
baby’s reach when they are lying on their
back. Remove the mobile when the baby
learns to stand, to prevent them from pulling
it down.
• The AAP suggests avoiding mobiles that
have strings or ribbons.
• Be wary of "Do-It-Yourself" mobile ideas.
Paint and glue can have toxins in them,
pieces can fall off into the baby’s crib if not
secured properly, and DIY materials can
often become a choking or strangling hazard.
Changing Tables
Other than the crib, the changing table
is often the most used item in a baby’s
nursery. To keep your infant safe and make
changing diapers easier on you, consider
the following tips:
• Choose a sturdy changing table that has
two-inch safety rails on all sides. The AAP
recommends using a changing table that is
concave so that the middle is slightly lower
than the sides.
• Use a changing pad with a safety strap
and securely strap your infant to the pad.
• Understand that the safety strap is not a
guarantee. Therefore, you should always
keep one hand securely on your baby and
never leave a baby unattended.
• Keep diapers and wipes within arm’s
reach of the adult changing the baby.
• Keep all lotion, powders, diaper creams,
and other supplies in a drawer or a shelf out
of your baby’s reach.
Toys
Even toys that are intended for children can
pose a risk if they aren’t age appropriate.
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