One of the first things you probably did upon discovering you were pregnant was plan and select the nursery décor. The wall hangings, cute little night lights, the bedding set and all the little things that say ‘a baby lives here’. But while you are doing all that decorating, how much thought are you really giving to making your baby’s room safe for sleeping?
What’s safe
A nursery that is safe for sleeping is one that:
- Has a crib that meets safety standards. Crib slats should not be more than 2 3/8 inches apart and corner posts shouldn’t be taller than rails by more 1/16th of an inch. The mattress should be one that can be raised and lowered.
- Crib should not be placed near a window.
- Pull cords for blinds should not hang lower than halfway down the window to prevent choking.
- Dressers, changing tables and other furniture should either be anchored to the wall or heavy enough that it cannot be pulled over or fall over when multiple drawers are pulled out.
- All outlets should be covered.
- Toy boxes should be lid-free or covered with easy-lift and non-latching covers.
- Light fixtures should be fixed to the ceiling or walls instead of lamps with cords.
- Windows should be securely locked and have screens.
Read on to find out what not to do to make your baby’s room a safe one…
Make sure to monitor your baby for safety purposes
What’s not safe
I could sum this up by stating that anything that doesn’t meet the requirements given above is unsafe and shouldn’t be in the nursery. But, let’s not stop there. Let’s be a bit more specific when it comes to making sure your baby’s room is safe for sleeping:
- The crib can be the Mercedes of cribs, but if it’s filled with stuffed animals and fluffy bedding, it’s not safe for your baby to sleep in.
- If the bedding set includes a bumper pad, don’t use it unless it’s made of mesh or breathable fabric and weaves in and out of the crib slats. You should ensure that it cannot fall onto the baby’s face and suffocate him/her.
- The nursery floor should be free of rugs that don’t stay firmly in place.
- There should be a working smoke alarm in the nursery.
- Your baby’s nursery needs to have ceiling fan to keep air moving and the temperature at a comfortable level. The ideal room temperature for a baby’s room that is safe for sleeping is about 68F; not too hot, not too cold.
Safety does not equal dull, find out why…
Safe isn’t boring
A nursery that is safe for sleeping doesn’t have to be boring. It can be as colourful and cute as you want it to be. A baby’s room that is safe for sleeping can be filled with toys as long as they are age-appropriate. They should be out of the crib but not on the floor for you to trip over. Remember: “Safety first” should be your mantra. Your baby’s life may depend on it.
Did these tips help? Do you have anymore to add? We’d love to hear feedback from you! For more on how to make your baby’s room safe for sleeping, watch this video: