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Bags packed. Name chosen. Clothes washed and
hung in the closet. Nursery baby-proofed? Your baby
hasn’t even arrived yet…however, it is never too early
to think about safety. This is the first of a series called
"Safe At Home". We hope this will be a great resource for
the latest safety information and products to keep your
baby safe.
All the “safety” websites recommend crawling on your hands and knees to view your home from your baby’s perspective. It’s a great idea and can be quite enlightening.
So, here you are, crawling around the kitchen, living room, bathroom—many hazards to be seen. But, what do you do? How do you keep your baby safe from all the potential harm she could encounter? There are so many products on the market. What is a must-have? What do I need right now? Where do I begin? Let’s start in your baby’s bedroom.
THE NURSERY
The Crib
Whether brand new or a sentimental heirloom, the crib should have no broken parts or slats. Slats should be no more than 2 3/8 inches apart, or the width of a soda can. The mattress should be firm and fit tight in the crib. Drop-down sides, found on older cribs, can cause entrapment.
Bumpers
Make sure that bumpers fit snugly around the perimeter of the crib with no gaps.
Mobiles and Baby Gyms
Remove after 5 months of age or when baby begins to reach up.
Activity Centers
Always place on the wall side of the crib to avoid pulling or climbing up.
Furniture and Placement
Do not place the crib under a window. Avoid placing any furniture under or near a window that your older baby can climb on. Secure furniture such as chests, wall units and bookcases to studs in the wall with anti-tip straps to avoid tip-overs.
Electrical
Babies are attracted to electrical outlets because the image looks like a smiley face to them. Install Universal Outlet Covers that will automatically cover the plug area, or Devoted Daddy Safety Caps.
Lighting
Good general lighting and a covered night-light work well together. The Babeebrite clip-on LED night-light is great for late-night feedings and diaper changes.
Ventilation
A recommended room temperature of 61 to 67 degrees is vital in creating a safe sleeping environment. Often, the nursery is kept too warm. The Grobag Egg digital thermometer changes color to signal when temperatures become unsafe for your baby. An appropriate-sized ceiling fan with a light is also a good option.
Windows
Windows should be set to open no more than 4 inches. Most new windows have this locking option. If not, Window Wedges, Super Stops and Mesh Window Guards are easy to install. Remember: A window screen is not a barrier. Use Blindwinder or Drapery Cleat to keep cords out of your baby’s reach.
So, your baby is now safely in her nursery. Phew! But now you still have the rest of your home to baby-proof! Don’t panic. "Safe At Home" will return next month. Next time, we’ll cover making a safe zone for your baby to play. Our mothers called it a “playpen,” but parents of our generation (aka parents in 2010) want to give our kids more area to explore.
In the meantime, if you want to get started baby-proofing your home, you can call a local baby-proofer. A professionally trained baby-proofer can offer a fresh point of view and help to highlight areas of concern. Kidproteq LLC, located in Wayne, Pa., serves Philadelphia and its suburbs. Kidproteq owners and professional baby-proofers Rachelle and Jeff Gansky are there to help. Jeff performs the home evaluations and is available for installations. A Kidproteq? in-home safety evaluation takes approximately one and a half hours. Rachelle handles all daily operations and is available for phone and e-mail consultation. Rachelle provides the best, most current information by keeping up on the latest in the childproofing industry through her connections with IAFCS and Safe Kids USA. Feel free to submit Rachelle a question. Look for the Weekly Safety Tips on THE FAMILY GROOVE blog. And, most of all…be safe!
Go to www.kidproteq.com and print out The Home Safety Worksheet. This will help you as you go room by room in your home.
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