3/18/2008

Protecting your child - Choosing quality baby furniture

by: gary

The first thing to fit to a new nursery is a smoke alarm, for a few pounds (or free from your community fire prevention officer) these must have devises must be your first consideration. Socket covers to seal any unused electrical outlets are also a great idea when your baby begins to explore and move about. It’s also a sensible idea to locate nursery furniture in the way to preclude your baby from discovering outlets.

Your baby’s cot is the item of nursery furniture where he will spend the most time during her initial months. Cots are also one of the primary causes of baby injury and fatalities so it is essential to make sure your cot follows the recommended safety standards. The cot must be deep enough so your baby is unable to climb out. Check that the distance between the rails is not capable of allowing the baby to trap their head.Make sure that cots with drop down sides lock automatically and can’t be opened by the child. It’s important that used cots are checked out thoroughly for damage to fastenings and fixtures and that you purchase a brand new mattress for your baby. The mattress must have a gap of no more than 4cm around the outside of the cot to prevent your baby from becoming trapped.

Head the ‘back to sleep’ campaign targetted to reduce sudden infant death syndrome and always lay your baby down on his back. If you have a nightlight in your nursery, locate it away from the cot so the bedding doesn’t create a fire and avoid locating the light near curtains, plastic, or other objects that may spark from the heat.

When designing your nursery layout make certain no furniture is placed adjacent windows, as your child grows they might try to climb up and have a peek out. Also steer clear of placing anything that can assist your child to stand on to look out of a window. Keep the windows in the nursery properly secured. When opening a window for airing ensure it is firmly fixed and ideally never open more than 5cm.

Another item of baby furniture to blame for many child injuries is the changing table. Using a u - shaped changing mat can assist greatly in ensuring your baby can’t roll away and some changing tables even have securings to fix your child. Changing equipment must be kept well out of reach in a drawer of on a shelf. An accidental baby powder spill can have adverse effects to an infant.

Rather disturbingly one of the most common reasons of injury in a child’s room are curtains and blinds. It’s vital that short curtains are used that small children can’t become entwined in and that the pull cords on Venetian blinds are kept short. When installing blinds ensure the cords are tied up to keep them short and are never within a baby’s reach.

Select your toy storage carefully. Toyboxes must be fitted with safety hinges or lightweight fabric lids to prevent little fingers from becoming crushed. As your baby gets bigger, he might climb inside the toybox and a heavy lid could trap her so it’s important they be fitted with safety hinges or lightweight lids. You should also try to select baby furniture with lids and drawers that are not as likely to pinch your youngster’s fingers. Cupboard and wardrobe doors are also a potential danger to your youngster and you must consider fitting child safe catches to prevent your child from hurting themselves

By following good information and following common sense, new parents can ensure they make the correct choices when choosing baby furniture and design the perfect room for their new baby.