| It's never too early to start baby-proofing. Before | | | | on, get tangled up in or trip over. Keep cords behind |
| the baby arrives is the ideal time to start considering | | | | an anchored dresser or shelving unit whenever |
| what may be a hazard in your home. The nursery is | | | | possible. You can even secure excess cords to the |
| especially important since your baby will be spending | | | | wall with a small clamp to discourage your child from |
| lots of time there. Keep baby-proofing in mind when | | | | playing with them. |
| you decorate your nursery. Furniture anchors and | | | | Keep lamps, heaters and other burn hazards well out |
| electrical outlet covers are very important and can be | | | | of reach. Secure these items so that they can't be |
| easily installed when you decorate the room. | | | | pulled off of a shelf or dresser by the cord. If your |
| Babies grow and develop so quickly. If you wait until | | | | heating vents are located on the floor, keep in mind |
| you see a need for baby-proofing, then it can | | | | that they can become very hot during the winter. |
| sometimes be too late. New parents especially may | | | | Replace metal vents with plastic ones or place a |
| not realize how curious and creative a new baby can | | | | physical barrier that your child won't be able to get |
| be. Before you know it, your little one will be putting | | | | past in the way of the vent. Take precautions if |
| everything in his or her mouth. Everything within | | | | there is a radiator or portable heater in the nursery |
| reach will be explored by feeling, grabbing, chewing | | | | as well. You may end up putting a baby gate all the |
| and tasting. Because of this, choking hazards are your | | | | way around the radiator or heater. |
| first concern. The general rule is, if it fits down a | | | | Stuffed animals, blankets and clothing pulled from |
| toilet paper tube, it can fit down a child's throat. Any | | | | drawers are the number one fire hazard in a child's |
| small items should be kept out of reach and where a | | | | room. Your gates should be high enough that a child |
| toddler or child can't climb to get to it. On top of the | | | | can't throw flammable items near a heat source. |
| dresser can entice them to climb up to it. | | | | Don't forget that incandescent light bulbs can be very |
| A non-anchored dresser is a serious crushing hazard | | | | hot and start fires as well. Consider fluorescent light |
| to have in your home. Make sure that all shelves are | | | | bulbs for lamps in a child's room. Keep baby blankets, |
| anchored as well. Anything that could possibly tip | | | | stuffed toys and clothing out of your child's reach. If |
| over should be anchored to at least one stud in the | | | | you keep them in the crib, make sure that they are |
| wall. Cover all electrical outlets with plug covers when | | | | well out of the child's reach from the outside. Install |
| not in use. Outlet covers that allow things to be | | | | child locks on dresser drawers and keep as many |
| plugged in and covered are very useful and easy to | | | | clothes as possible put away in the closet on |
| install. The cover locks down so that only an adult | | | | childrens clothes hangers. Prepare early and you'll be |
| can unplug the appliance. Keep cords bundled and out | | | | confident of your child's safety when he or she |
| of children's reach. Long cords can be inviting to chew | | | | arrives. |