Creating a nursery space can be such a fun part of preparing for your little one’s arrival! It can also be overwhelming. Protecting your baby is a top priority. We’re here to help guide you through the process with a few tips and tricks to maximize safety while helping you maintain your peace of mind.
MONITOR CORD SAFETY DESIGNING YOUR NURSERY NURSERY FURNITURE CRIB OTHER TIPS
MONITOR CORD SAFETY
Since 2002, seven infants and toddlers were strangled in baby monitor cords and three infants and toddlers were nearly strangled. In an effort to prevent infants and toddlers from strangling in monitor cords, Angelcare and JPMA urge parents to:
Check the location of all monitors and other products with electric cords, including those mounted on the wall, to make sure cords are out of your child’s reach.
Place monitor and other cords at least three feet away from any part of the crib, bassinet, play yard, or other safe sleep environment.
For movement monitors, make sure the sensor cords are taut and not dangling to reduce strangulation hazards. Read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions as to how to handle these cords.
Never position a monitor inside or on the edge of a crib.
For more information on baby monitor cord safety including videos and safety tips or to obtain free safety warning labels for your baby monitor, visit: www.babymonitorsafety.org
DESIGNING YOUR NURSERY
PAINT
If you are going to paint, always use a high-quality water-based, lead free paint, with low or no VOC’s (volatile organic compounds). There are many great options on the market today, including organic paints. Make sure the room is well ventilated and air it out for 2-3 days before occupying it.
Important information brought to you by:
www.babysafetyzone.org
www.parents.com
NURSERY FURNITURE
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Tip Overs
Tip overs are a leading cause of injury to children. The best way to avoid them is to make sure all furniture items and televisions are secured to the wall. For additional tips refer to www.childproofingexperts.com
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Changing Pads
If using a changing pad on a dresser, be sure to secure that pad to the dresser to avoid the pad slipping off. And, NEVER leave baby unattended, not even for a second.
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Location
Keep all furniture away from windows. This insures that cribs are away from window coverings and helps prevent toddlers from climbing near windows.
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Avoid Changing-Table Dangers
Store lotion, alcohol-based hand gel, and other supplies in a drawer or on a shelf beyond your baby’s reach
Important information brought to you by:
www.iafcs.org
www.parents.com
CRIBS – BARE IS BEST – GO FOR MINIMALISM!
CRIB BEDDING
Bumper Pads
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) strongly advises against using bumper pads — they increase the risk of SIDS and other crib-deaths. If you do decide to go against the AAP’s recommendations, skip the padded kind and use thin, breathable ones that fit firmly around the whole crib. Then take down the bumpers as soon as your baby can stand, so your little one won't use them to climb out.
Mattress
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends a crib, bassinet, portable crib, or play yard that meets their safety standards along with a tight-fitting, firm mattress and fitted sheet designed for that particular product. (If a mattress shows a handprint when pressed, it is not recommended for babies)
Mattress
Make sure there are no gaps larger than two fingers between the sides of the crib and the mattress. NEVER place additional padding under an infant. Keep pillows, toys and blankets out of the crib.
Mobiles
These should be removed from the crib, portable crib or play yard style crib when baby can push up on hands and knees or pull up to a standing position.
Important information brought to you by:
www.cpsc.gov
babysafetyzone.org
www.jpma.org
OTHER TIPS
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Smoke & Carbon-monoxide Detector
Installing a smoke and carbon monoxide detector outside bedrooms and on each level of your home.
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Escape Ladder
Buying an escape ladder for second floor or higher nurseries. Try to keep an infant carrier in the nursery at all times – it’ll make the climb down the ladder much easier.
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Room Thermometer
Add a room thermometer to help monitor your babies room. Sleeping in an overheated room can put a baby at greater risk for sudden infant death syndrome. We recommend keeping the nursery room between 64 to 72 degrees F (18 to 22 degrees Celsius).
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Pinch Guards
Installing finger-pinch guards on doors. In kids ages 4 and younger, the majority of finger amputations happen because the child’s fingers are caught in a door. Install the guards high enough so your child can’t pop them out of place.
Important information brought to you by:
www.parents.com
www.sids.org