Here is a room-by-room guide for what to do from the very beginning.
Nursery
Ideas for the crib and other furniture:
- Look for the Juvenile Product Manufacturer's Association sticker
- This means the crib has met its safety standards
- Buy a crib new, because safety standards have changed over the years
- If you do buy a used crib, make sure you know what make and model it is
- Then, check for any crib recalls with the Consumer Product Safety Commission online or by calling their hotline at 1-800-638-2772
- Don't buy a crib with splinters, cracks, missing parts or peeling paint
- Don't choose a crib with raised corner posts (more than 1/16 of an inch) or decorative cutouts in the headboard
- Crib slats should be two and 3/8 inches away from each other or less
- Make sure all screws, bolts and other hardware are securely put in to help make sure the crib doesn't fall down
- Be sure the crib mattress fits snugly
- You should be able to slide just one finger between the mattress and the side rails and headboard
- Don't put pillows, soft bedding, heating blankets, heating pads or stuffed animals in the crib
- Do not put the crib or changing table near a window, and make sure the cords to any blinds are out of reach
- Always use the safety belt when your baby is on the changing table, and don't turn your back for one second
- Put a slip-free rug under the changing table and crib to give some protection if there is a fall
- Space heaters should be at least three feet away from the crib, bedding and draperies to help avoid a fire
When your baby can pull up or stand on his or her own:
- Remove bumpers, pillows, stuffed animals and other toys from the crib so your baby can't use these to climb on
- Take down mobiles and hanging crib toys
- Remove strings on crib toys and pacifiers if they are more than seven inches long, so they do not become a strangling hazard
- Put the mattress on its lowest setting
- Make sure drapery and blind cords are out of the baby's reach by tying them or using a safety gadget that rolls them up out of reach
Kitchen
- Don't hold your baby while you're cooking
- Put your baby down while drinking hot coffee or tea
- Avoid warming baby bottles in the microwave - the milk or formula may heat unevenly and hurt your baby
When your baby can walk or crawl:
- Use baby gates or a playpen to limit the parts of the room your child can get to
- Store all cleaning goods out of reach or in a locked cabinet that's high off the ground
- Store alcohol in a locked cabinet
- Put knives and other sharp items and heavy pots in an out-of-reach or locked cupboard
- Put knob protectors on stove knobs if they are on the front of the stove
- When cooking, turn pot handles toward the back or side of the stove where they are less likely to hang off the edge and be pulled down by little hands
- If you can, use only the back burners
- Keep chairs and step stools away from counters and stove
- Keep electrical gadgets unplugged and out of reach and use outlet covers to keep baby from sticking his or her fingers into the sockets
- Keep electrical cords wrapped short so when they are in use, children cannot pull coffee makers, toasters or other gadgets off of counters
- Avoid using tablecloths or runners that your child could pull down
- Put the trash can in a locked cabinet, or use one with a child-proof lid
- Put safety latches on cabinets so that baby can't get into unsafe places, and keep the dishwasher soap and other household poisons in a high cabinet out of reach of little hands - toddlers can figure out how to open safety latches
Bathroom
- Set your water heater no higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit
- Turn on cold water first, and turn it off last when using faucets
- Fill the tub up with only enough water to covers your baby's legs
- Always test bathwater with your elbow before putting baby in the tub
- Never, ever leave your baby alone in the bath, even for a few seconds
- Unplug everything that is not being used and store it away from the tub, sink and toilet
When your baby can walk or crawl:
- Put a safety latch on your toilet
- Ask other family members to lower the toilet seat and keep the bathroom door closed at all times
- Put a non-skid mat or decals in the bathtub
- Put a non-skid rug or mat on the bathroom floor
- Use child-proof caps on all bottles of pills and tablets
- Store medicines and supplements in the containers they came in, and keep them in a locked cupboard
- Keep mouthwash, toothpaste and cosmetics out of reach
- Keep any sharp items like scissors, razors and tweezers locked up
[references] Copyright © 2010 LimeHealth