Expecting your baby is the most exciting event in life. Preparing for the baby is even more exciting. Many parents-would-be plan nursery for their new born and decorate the room with great affection and love. At times, while planning a nursery, we forget some basic features of safety and concentrate mainly on beauty and comfort of the room. For some this proves disastrous. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, over two million children aged less than four are rushed to hospital due to various kinds of accidents that happen at home. This can be prevented by taking adequate measures of safety in your child’s nursery. Inspect each and every item placed in the room and ensure them to be harmless and kid-friendly.
Following are some tips to secure your baby’s nursery:
1. Drapes and blinds: Do not use cords for the drapes and blinds. If at all you are using them, try to place your baby’s crib far away from the windows so that they are out of reach for your kid. If you are careless, your playful child may get entangled with the cord around his neck and other parts. He may not know how to untangle it. This is dangerous as it can choke your kid.
2. Borrowed baby furniture: Some of you might be using a borrowed furniture for your baby, including crib. Ensure that the crib is strong and other items, if already used by someone, are equally strong and harmless for your baby.
3. Toy boxes: It is better to use toy boxes without a lid so that your baby can easily take the toys without hurting himself/herself. According to the Home Safety Council, a box with a lid can endanger your child’s life as he can shut himself up and close it. He can also trap his fingers and hurt himself. In case you need to use a lid, choose boxes that close very slowly without slamming. If at all the child is shut inside he should be able to open it from inside.
4. Wall paint: While colorful paints make the nursery more attractive and cute, they can also be harmful for your baby, if they contain chemicals. While choosing the paint, use water-based paints that contain non-volatile organic compounds. After painting leave the room for a few days before using it. If you are using new carpets in the nursery, try to leave the room open and well-ventilated for letting out the carpet’s off-gas. Use the room to sleep your baby only after 48-72 hours.
5. Electric outlets: If there are electrical outlets in your baby’s nursery, seal them properly so that your child does not put his finger into them playfully. Plastic inserts are good for preventing the children to touch the outlets. They are hard to remove as well.
6. Electrical cords: Do not use electrical cords in the nursery. If there are cords you have to bunch it up and hide it in places out of reach of your children. It is better not to use such cords in your baby’s room. If you are in need of outlets, take the help of a licensed technician and get it installed.
7. Shelves: Most often, the nursery is a small room when compared to other rooms. If you have a lot of items to store try to make use of the out-of-reach shelves for storing the items like the diapers, lotions and other items. Do not place the crib near the shelves because some of the items from the shelf can accidentally fall into the crib and injure your baby. Similarly be very careful of other decorative items on the walls. They have to be secured properly and not placed near the crib.
8. Crib safety: For extra safety you can anchor the crib to the wall to prevent it from toppling when your kid is trying to tug on to it. Use a wall stud to secure it safely and strongly.
9. Fire safety: Use a detector for carbon monoxide and a smoke alarm outside the nursery. Remember to change the batteries regularly. It is better to use a dimmer switch to control the light inside the nursery. Place it near the door so that it is easy to turn on and off the light without any hassles.
10. Light switch: Do not put harsh lights which might harm your baby’s eyes. It is better to use a dimmer switch to control the light inside the nursery. Also place it near the door so that it is easy to turn on and off the light without any hassles.
By following these simple safety tips you will be able to protect your baby from all kinds of dangers and accidents that occur at home and make the baby’s nursery a pleasure.
