Nursery Safety Tips

You love your baby. You want to keep your baby safe and happy. It's your most important job. Always watch your baby very carefully and follow these tips. They will help protect your baby.

Safe Sleep

• Only use a new crib that has been tested for safety.

• Do not put anything in the crib with the baby. Keep pillows, blankets, bumpers and toys out of the crib. They can dangerous for the baby.

• Put babies to sleep on their backs. Use a sleep sack, not a blanket.

Safe Nursery

• Keep cribs and other furniture away from windows.

• Use the safety belt on the changing table and high chair to keep your baby from falling. Keep one hand on your baby when you change him.

• Store baby powders, lotion and medicines on a high shelf. If possible, use a child safety lock so young children cannot touch these things.

• Keep all plastic bags out of the baby's room.

• Use child safety covers for electric outlets. The safest kind covers the whole receptacle.

• Use only safety nightlight styles that children cannot pull out. Keep night lights at least three feet from bedding and other materials that can catch on fire.

• Keep baby monitors and other cords a safe distance from the crib.

• All pictures should be secured out of reach. Don't hang pictures or other heavy decorations directly over a crib.

• Use a safety strap to anchor tall pieces of furniture so they don't tip over if your child tries to climb on them.

• Install a baby gate at the nursery door.

• Choose toy chests with no lid or get one with lid supports to prevent heavy lids from falling on children's fingers and necks.

• Replace all door stops that have removable caps. A child can choke on these.

• Blind cords can be deadly if they have a loop. Cut the loop in two pieces and tie them up high where children cannot touch them.

• Install window guards with a quick-release mechanism that can be opened easily by an adult in case of fire.