| When bringing home your new baby, there are so | | | | Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). |
| many things to do in order to get ready. Making | | | | ___ Place night-lights at least three feet away |
| your home a safe haven for your new little one is | | | | from the crib, bedding, and draperies to prevent |
| one of the most important things you will do to | | | | fires. |
| get ready. Each room contains its own set of | | | | ___ Check age labels for appropriate toys. |
| dangers. Below is a baby safety checklist to | | | | |
| ensure that every room in your house is baby | | | | Keep the bathroom safe: |
| friendly.General Safety Tips: | | | | ___ Put a lock on the medicine cabinet. |
| ___ Place child-resistant covers on all electrical | | | | ___ Lower the household water temperature. |
| outlets. | | | | (It should be set at 120 degrees F or below to |
| ___ Install safety gates at the top and bottom | | | | avoid burning your baby) |
| of the stairs. | | | | ___ Always test the water first before bathing |
| ___ Don't use baby walkers because they have | | | | a child. |
| been known to have caused serious injuries to | | | | ___ Never leave your child alone in the bathtub |
| babies. Use stationary exercisers instead. | | | | or near any water. |
| ___ Keep all dangerous chemicals out of the | | | | ___ Secure toilet lids. Many young children are |
| reach of children. | | | | fascinated by putting objects inside. |
| ___ Shorten curtain and blind cords. | | | | ___ Make sure that bathtubs and showers |
| ___ Install smoke detectors on each floor of | | | | aren't slippery. |
| your home, especially near sleeping areas. * Be | | | | ___ Install ground-fault circuit interrupters on |
| sure to change the batteries each year. | | | | outlets near sings and bathtubs. |
| ___ Keep all small objects away from young | | | | |
| children. (This includes tiny toys and balloons.) | | | | For the Kitchen: |
| ___ Use corner bumpers on furniture and | | | | |
| fireplace-hearth edges. | | | | ___ Keep all knives, cleaning supplies, and plastic |
| ___ Know the names of all plants in case a child | | | | bags out of children's reach. |
| eats one of them. | | | | ___ If stove knobs are easily accessible to |
| ___ Be sure that furnaces, fireplaces, | | | | children, use protective covers to prevent kids |
| wood-burning stoves, space heaters, and all gas | | | | from turning them. |
| appliances are vented properly. | | | | ___ Never leave your baby alone in a highchair. |
| ___ Place screened barriers around fireplaces, | | | | Always use all safety straps. |
| radiators, and portable space heaters. | | | | ___ Replace any frayed cords and wires. |
| ___ Keep firearms and ammunition safely | | | | ___ Keep chairs and step stools away from |
| locked away. | | | | counters and the stove. |
| ___ Secure unsteady furnishings. | | | | ___ Remove all household cleaners from the |
| ___ Check your house for lead and asbestos. If | | | | bottom cabinets or put them in a cabinet that is |
| you detect either of these substances, contact a | | | | out of your baby's reach. |
| professional. Any house built before 1978 is at risk | | | | |
| for lead paint. | | | | |
| | | | In the Yard: |
| Protect your kids rooms: | | | | |
| | | | ___ Store tools, garden, lawn-equipment, and |
| ___ Ensure that your crib meets national safety | | | | supplies in a locked closet or shed. |
| standards. | | | | ___ Don't use a power mower when young |
| ___ Place guards on windows and stops on all | | | | children are around. |
| doors. | | | | ___ Don't allow children to play on a treated |
| ___ Make sure your baby's crib is sturdy and | | | | lawn for at least 48 hours following an application |
| has no loose or missing hardware. | | | | of a fertilizer or pesticide. |
| ___ Make sure that the mattress fits snugly. | | | | ___ Know the types of trees and plant life on |
| ___ Be sure the crib sheet fits snugly. | | | | the property in case children ingest berries, |
| ___ Never put stuffed animals or heavy | | | | leaves, or other plant life. |
| blankets in the crib with your infant. | | | | ___ If you have a swimming pool, install a fence |
| ___ Never leave your baby unattended on the | | | | that separates the house from the pool. ( Make |
| changing table. | | | | sure that the gate is childproof) |
| ___ Remove mobiles and other hanging toys | | | | This list is a general guide. For more in-depth |
| from the crib as soon as your child can reach up | | | | information go to the U.S. Consumer Product |
| and touch them. | | | | Safety Commission at is the webmaster at the |
| ___ Place infants under one year of age on | | | | Baby Names Box - - Where you can explore |
| their backs to sleep. Mattress should be firm and | | | | over 6,000 baby names and their meanings. Read |
| flat with no soft bedding underneath. * Following | | | | articles on parenting, family, recipes, home and |
| this advice will reduce the risk of suffocation and | | | | gardening. Be sure to say hi to GranMamma! |