Baby-Proofing Your Home

Home Sweet Home

Nursery Precautions

• Cot slats should be at least 6 cm. apart to prevent the child's head from getting trapped.
  
• Never use soft bedding, pillows or stuffed animals in cots for infants as they pose a suffocation hazard.
  
• Babies should always be placed on their backs to sleep.
  
• Mobiles should be removed once the baby can push up on their hands and knees, usually at about 5 months.
  
• If you use a changing table, be sure that it has sturdy guardrails and a safety strap. Keep all supplies within reach and never leave your baby unattended on the table, even for a moment.
  
• Keep all small toys away from the cot since many are choking hazards.
  
• Place the baby's cot away from any windows and be sure that no cords are hanging from the window treatments. Safe window treatments have break away cords to eliminate strangulation hazards.

Child Proof Your Kitchen

• Store cleaning products in a high cabinet or if stored under the sink, be sure that the cabinet has a child proof lock.
  
• Kitchen drawers should have stops on them to prevent babies from pulling the drawers down onto themselves. Store all sharp kitchen utensils in the highest drawers.
  
• When cooking, be sure that the handles of pots are facing to the back or side, not out in front. Once babies are walking and climbing, they will begin to reach for things above their heads.
  
• Avoid heating baby's bottles in the microwave because it heats the liquid unevenly, leaving hot spots. If you do use the microwave, be sure to mix the contents well after heating to assure even distribution of heat.
  
• Be sure that highchairs are properly equipped with safety straps.
  
• Keep a fire extinguisher close at hand and familiarize yourself on its use before you need it.