Protecting your child - Buying appropriate baby furniture
Author: jonathan swift Article source: http://www.articledeshboard.com/. Used with author's permission.
The initial thing to fit to a new nursery is a smoke alarm, for a few pounds (or free from your community fire prevention officer) these essential gadgets should be your initial consideration. When baby starts to wander it's essential that any unused electrical outlet is covered with a cheap plastic socket protector to stop your curious baby from sticking his fingers. It's also a sensible idea to place bedroom furniture in the way to stop your baby from finding sockets.
The next most essential thing is your child's cot as this is the place they will initially spend most of their time in the early months. When choosing a cot it's vital to ensure they comply with the all important safety standards (BS EN 716 in the UK). The cot should be deep enough so your child cannot climb out. Ensure that the spacing between the rails is not capable of allowing the child to trap their head. Check that if the cot has lowering sides that they have robust locks to prevent them from being accidently released by your baby. If using a used cot ALWAYS purchase a brand new mattress for each child. The mattress should leave a gap of no more than 4cm around the perimeter of the cot to prevent your baby from becoming trapped.
Head the 'back to sleep' advice designed to reduce sudden infant death syndrome and always lay your child down on his back. If you use a nightlight in your nursery, locate it away from the cot so the bed clothes doesn't create a fire and avoid placing the light near curtains, plastic, or other items that may spark from the heat.
Try to locate your nursery furniture in a way that avoids positioning objects in front of windows. Also steer clear of positioning anything that may allow your toddler to balance on to look out of a window. Keep the windows in the nursery securely locked. When opening a window for airing ensure it is firmly fixed and ideally never open more than 5cm.
Changing stations can also be a cause of injury but this usually is a result of adults thinking their baby to be protected and wandering away. Always fix your child firmly with the changing table's safety straps and never leave her on the changing surface alone. Keep your changing accessories out of baby's grasp. Babies and toddlers are naturally curious and nappy sacks or rash creams are potentially harmful.
Rather worryingly one of the most common reasons of injury in a child's room are window dressings and blinds. Avoid using long curtains or drapes that may trap and suffocate a young toddler and never hang blinds with lengthy cords in your baby's nursery. When using blinds ensure the cords are sucured up to keep them short and are never within a baby's reach.
It's essential to have storage for the myriad of playthings baby will soon collect but choose carefully. Seek out toy chests that have no lid or have fabric. Boxes are tempting places for toddlers to climb into so it's vital they can't become trapped. Drawers are also potentially dangerous and ideally should have a safety close action. Wardrobe and cupboard doors are also a potential hazard to your baby and you should consider fitting child safe mechanisms to prevent your youngster from hurting themselves
By following sound recommendations and using common sense, new parents can ensure they select the correct choices when choosing baby furniture and create the perfect room for their newborn.
Gary blogs for numerous sources on nursery furniture sets for his blog and his internet store Monkeyshine the place to go for tendy living for kids.With lots of experience Gary is able to offer advice on many issues from fitting out a nursery to a humble baby change mat.
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