MommyDaycare.com - Child Care Resource Center

The Safe Nursery

Setting up baby's nursery is one of the most exciting things you'll do when you are expecting your new arrival. Since much of your baby's time will be spent here, it's important to keep the following safety tips in mind to help create a nursery that's both comfortable and safe.

Bedtime Hints
Experts advise that putting your baby to sleep on her back in a safe crib can help reduce the risk of SIDS.

To reduce the risk of suffocation, remove all soft bedding such as pillows, quilts, comforters, sheepskins, and other pillow-like soft products from the crib.

If using a blanket, be sure to tuck it around the crib mattress, allowing it to reach only as far as the baby's chest.

Changing Table Wisdom
Never leave your baby unattended on a changing table - be it to answer the phone, doorbell, or for any other reason.

Keep all needed items within reach.

To help prevent falls and other injuries, always use the safety straps on changing tables as well as on infant carriers, high chairs, and strollers

Cord Care
Place the baby's crib or other furniture far enough away from window blinds or curtain cords so little hands can't reach them

Cut the loops of blind and drapery cords and use safety tassels. Check that vertical blinds, continuous-looped blinds, and drapery cords have tension or tie-down devices to hold the cord tight.

Babies can also strangle on pacifier strings, ribbons or cords, so make sure you remove them from your baby's pacifiers.

Clothing Cautions
Make sure there are no drawstrings around the hood or neck of your child's clothing. Drawstrings can catch on playground and nursery equipment, posing a strangulation risk to young children.

Look for clothing with buttons, snaps, zippers or fasteners like Velcro.

Smart Moves
Install smoke alarms and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms in your home. This will help keep your baby and family safe from fire and CO poisoning. Remember to change the batteries regularly.

To help prevent injuries, consider using angle braces or anchors to secure furniture, such as bookshelves or tall cabinets to the wall.

To help prevent poisoning, use safety latches on lower drawers and cabinet doors to ensure that they are not opened by children.

Use outlet covers in all unused electrical sockets to help safeguard from electrocution.

Toy Tips
Keep balloons and toys with small parts away from your baby to help prevent choking and suffocation.

Any item with rounded edges smaller than the head of this rattle (1.68" diameter) is a choking hazard.

Crib Notes

To ensure crib safety, always check for the following:

No broken or missing crib slats. These pose a serious threat to baby's safety, as they can cause possible injury and strangulation.
Slats must be no more than 2 3/8 inches apart (less than the width of a soda can). This prevents a baby's body from slipping through the slats and possibly entrapping her head.
No cut-out designs in the headboard or footboard. This prevents entrapment.
No missing or broken crib hardware.
No corner posts over 1/16 inch high. This prevents a baby's clothing from catching on the post which is a strangulation risk.
A firm, tight fitting mattress. This prevents a baby from becoming trapped between the mattress and side of the crib.
Properly mounted crib gyms and mobiles. Be sure to remove them when your baby begins to push up on hands and knees. No strings or cords should dangle into the crib.
Always keep mobiles completely out of baby's reach.

This information has been brought to you by Babies "R" Us, Pampers Parenting Institute and the U.S. Consumer Product Safetly Commission.