Baby Safety Checklist - Protecting Your Baby
|
When bringing home your new baby, there are so many things to do in order to get ready. Making your home a safe haven for your new little one is one of the most important things you will do to get ready. Each room contains its own set of dangers. Below is a baby safety checklist to ensure that every room in your house is baby friendly.
General Safety Tips:
___ Place child-resistant covers on all electrical outlets.
___ Install safety gates at the top and bottom of the stairs.
___ Don't use baby walkers because they have been known to have caused serious injuries to babies. Use stationary exercisers instead.
___ Keep all dangerous chemicals out of the reach of children.
___ Shorten curtain and blind cords.
___ Install smoke detectors on each floor of your home, especially near sleeping areas. * Be sure to change the batteries each year.
___ Keep all small objects away from young children. (This includes tiny toys and balloons.)
___ Use corner bumpers on furniture and fireplace-hearth edges.
___ Know the names of all plants in case a child eats one of them.
___ Be sure that furnaces, fireplaces, wood-burning stoves, space heaters, and all gas appliances are vented properly.
___ Place screened barriers around fireplaces, radiators, and portable space heaters.
___ Keep firearms and ammunition safely locked away.
___ Secure unsteady furnishings.
___ Check your house for lead and asbestos. If you detect either of these substances, contact a professional. Any house built before 1978 is at risk for lead paint.
Protect your kids rooms:
___ Ensure that your crib meets national safety standards.
___ Place guards on windows and stops on all doors.
___ Make sure your baby's crib is sturdy and has no loose or missing hardware.
___ Make sure that the mattress fits snugly.
___ Be sure the crib sheet fits snugly.
___ Never put stuffed animals or heavy blankets in the crib with your infant.
___ Never leave your baby unattended on the changing table.
___ Remove mobiles and other hanging toys from the crib as soon as your child can reach up and touch them.
___ Place infants under one year of age on their backs to sleep. Mattress should be firm and flat with no soft bedding underneath. * Following this advice will reduce the risk of suffocation and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
___ Place night-lights at least three feet away from the crib, bedding, and draperies to prevent fires.
___ Check age labels for appropriate toys.
Keep the bathroom safe:
___ Put a lock on the medicine cabinet.
___ Lower the household water temperature. (It should be set at 120 degrees F or below to avoid burning your baby)
___ Always test the water first before bathing a child.
___ Never leave your child alone in the bathtub or near any water.
___ Secure toilet lids. Many young children are fascinated by putting objects inside.
___ Make sure that bathtubs and showers aren't slippery.
___ Install ground-fault circuit interrupters on outlets near sings and bathtubs.
For the Kitchen:
___ Keep all knives, cleaning supplies, and plastic bags out of children's reach.
___ If stove knobs are easily accessible to children, use protective covers to prevent kids from turning them.
___ Never leave your baby alone in a highchair. Always use all safety straps. ___ Replace any frayed cords and wires.
___ Keep chairs and step stools away from counters and the stove.
___ Remove all household cleaners from the bottom cabinets or put them in a cabinet that is out of your baby's reach.
In the Yard:
___ Store tools, garden, lawn-equipment, and supplies in a locked closet or shed.
___ Don't use a power mower when young children are around.
___ Don't allow children to play on a treated lawn for at least 48 hours following an application of a fertilizer or pesticide.
___ Know the types of trees and plant life on the property in case children ingest berries, leaves, or other plant life.
___ If you have a swimming pool, install a fence that separates the house from the pool. ( Make sure that the gate is childproof)
This list is a general guide. For more in-depth information go to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission at www.cpsc.gov.
GranMamma is the webmaster at the Baby Names Box - http://www.babynamebox.com - Where you can explore over 6,000 baby names and their meanings. Read articles on parenting, family, recipes, home and gardening. Be sure to say hi to GranMamma!
|
|
|
The Colic Baby
When a baby has colic, the family environment is stressful and many family members may become upset or on edge. This is most often seen in new parents. Some symptoms of colic may be that the baby cries loudly for three hours, the baby has bowel pains or the baby pulls their feet up under themselves and clenches their fists. New parents become alarmed and upset that their new baby may cry for hours, even though they have tried just about everything to comfort the the baby.Causes of ColicThere is no known one cause of colic. Doctors have several theories of what causes infant colic. The most popular theory is that the child had ingested a...(related: Babies Help Articles)
Everything You Need To Know About Your Baby?s Teething Process
The teething process can be a difficult period for both the baby and the parents. The process starts at different ages depending on each baby but usually by age of 3 most infants have their primary teeth in place. If by one year your baby still has not got his first tooth it would be wise to see your doctor and dentist.There are 20 primary or "baby" teeth t...(related: Babies Help Articles)
Baby Shower Centerpieces That Double As A Gift!
Here you will learn how to make and where to purchase your baby shower centerpieces. As the centerpiece is the focal point of the baby shower, it is very important for you to design or purchase the right one.You need to place them above eye level at the table to keep from blocking the view of the and the g...(related: Babies Help Articles)
Baby Shower For Twins (or More) Peas In A Pod
Baby shower for twins or multiples can be given when the mother-to-be is expecting twins or more. Having twins is twice as nice. But it's also twice as much work and twice as expensive. Fortunately for Moms expecting twins or multiples, there is usually someone willing to throw a baby shower to help ease the strain on the wallet.Two of the most popular themes for a baby shower for twins or more are "Noah's Ark" (two by two), or Peas in a Pod, which can be for any amount of children. For your twins baby shower, Amazon.com has a book on themed baby showers which will give you many ideas on different themes for your baby shower...(related: Babies Help Articles)
Fun & Unique Baby Shower Favors
A baby shower is often the highlight of an expectant mother's pregnancy. Planning a baby shower requires some thought and consideration for the expectant mother's special event. Baby shower favors are among the items that must be considered when planning a shower.Baby shower favors do not have to be complicated to make an impressionable impact on visitors. Most people are happy enough to come to the shower just to visit the mom to be in all her pregnant glory. Baby shower favors howe...(related: Babies Help Articles)
Free Baby Shower Invitations
Free baby shower invitations are the best! Everyone knows that the best things in life are free. The best baby shower...(related: Babies Help Articles)
Playing With Food Words: Teaching Mindfulness To Preschoolers
The most powerful way to instill a love for language and an awareness of health in young children is to help them use specific words as cues for mindfulness. Mindfulness is simply paying attention, noticing new things, drawing distinctions, and shifting perspectives. It is the very essence of fun, and all children have a natural tendenc...(related: Babies Help Articles)
How To Deal With Toddler Temper Tantrums
It's one of the few things your child can do that will make your cringe. A high-pitched, eardrum shattering, teeth grinding scream that goes on and on and on. Sometimes to the accompaniment of heels beating on the floor, or fists on the wall. You may have to duck as the toys start flying, because your toddler is having a temper tantrum.The reasons for having temper tantrums, are relatively simple. Remember, at the age of 1-3, when most children will throw tantrums, their world is fairly straightforward, as is their way of ordering it, and putting things in their place.Children have tantrums because they are tired, frustrated, seeking attention, or possibly because they are coming down with something, or they are tryi...(related: Babies Help Articles)
Babies Born With A Cleft Palate Or Lip
As many as one in 700 babies are born with either a cleft palate or cleft lip. Often these can cause a number of related problems including glue ear, crooked teeth and hearing difficulties. The good news is that almost all babies go on to have successful corrective surgery.How Clefts DevelopClefts begin to form at about the 6 weeks gestation and are gaps in the palate, lip or gum. For reasons that are unknown, these parts which should join together do not do so in a small number of developing babies.The causes are unknown, but some studies have suggested that smoking during pregnancy is linked with the condition.An ultrasound scan when you are 18 weeks pregnant will pick up around half of the cleft lips, but cleft palates are not diagnosed until after the birth.Feeding Your BabyBabies born with a cleft p...(related: Babies Help Articles)
Read Together With Your Baby
Imagine sitting your baby in your lap and reading a book to him for the first time.How different from just talking! Now you're showing him pictures. You point to them.In a lively way, y...(related: Babies Help Articles)
Facts You Should Know About Baby Shower Etiquette
Whether you're hosting a baby shower for the first time or not, chances are you've got some questions regarding the right baby shower etiquette. You want to create a truly special time for the guest of honor without any unintended faux pas. This guide was specially created to help you do exactly that. The real basics
- Take the wishes of the mom-to-be into account at every stage. That includes the games, food, invitation list and all other aspects of the baby shower.
- You can have baby showers either before or after the baby is born. Generally, they're held 1 or 2 months before due date. But they're also held after baby arrives because of medical or other reasons.
- These days, it is p...(related: Babies Help Articles)
site-map - Copyright © 2008 | Contact Webmaster | All Rights Reserved. | Babies Help Articles