Premobile little ones need special precautions, predominantly in the areas where baby will be sleeping. Here are some ideas for promoting child safety by babyproofing your home.
Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: A few hours
Here's How:
- Make sure sleeping areas are safe. We used to lose too many babies to accidents in cribs or bassinets. So the standards are now pretty clear. New cribs will generally meet them, but if you are using an older or second hand crib, you will need to be extra careful.
- Use a crib made since 1992 that meets safety standards set by the American Society for Testing and Material (ASTM).
- Be sure the crib mattress fits snugly. You should be able to slide only one finger between the mattress and the side rails and headboard. If it is wider than that, get a larger mattress.
- Don't use a crib that has wide or raised corner posts or decorative cutouts in the headboard since a baby's head could become trapped there, or loose clothing could get caught and increase the risk of strangling the baby.
- Install and use a safety belt on your infant's changing table. Babies can get a little rambunctious and can easily slide off the table if they are not strapped in.
Tips:
- The slats on the crib should be 2 3/8 inches apart or less; any wider and a baby's head can get caught between them.
- Never put pillows, extra bedding, electric blankets, heating pads, or stuffed animals in a crib. Babies can easily suffocate, and it can happen quickly.
- Place a rug under the changing table and crib, which will offer some cushion in case of a fall.
What You Need
- A newer crib with safe slats
- A safe crib mattress
- A changing table
