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