One of the most dangerous items in children's nurseries is the crib. It is in the crib where a lot of deaths of babies occur. Children can suffocate in their crib very easily. Start by making sure the slats in the crib are not spaced to widely. Children's nurseries should have cribs that have slats no wider than a can of pop, or 2 3/8 inches. This will ensure that your baby’s head or arm does not get stuck in the slats. Next, make sure the mattress fits snugly between the sides of the crib. A loose mattress puts your baby at risk of getting stuck between the mattress and the crib rails, which can lead to injury or suffocation. There should be no more than two finger’s width between the crib mattress and sides of the crib. Also choose a firm, not soft, crib mattress. If the crib has drop down sides, make sure they are latched securely enough that the baby will not be able to loosen them.
Children's nurseries are also at risk for being dangerous because of the toys you buy for you children. Toys can be a big choking hazard. Buy toys that are large enough that they cannot fit inside of a toilet paper roll. If they can fit in a toilet paper roll, then you can rest assured that your baby will find a way to put it in their mouth, thus becoming a choking hazard. Also, do not buy toys that have strings of cords that the baby could get tangled in. These are very dangerous toys to put in children’s nurseries. Also, toys that have a handle should have handles that are short enough that they cannot get stuck down the baby’s throat. Any toys that squeak should not have a squeaker that can become detached and swallowed.
Baby gates can be another dangerous item in your nursery. If the openings in the gate are too large, the baby’s head could get caught. Also, check to make sure that the baby gate cannot be opened by your baby. The clasp should be tight enough that it takes a little pressure for you to open. This will ensure that it is safe for your baby.
Make sure your playpen is safe as well. Make sure the top rails of the playpen lock securely when the playpen is opened. Also, make sure the sides of the playpen are mesh. This will make it impossible for the baby to suffocate if she should roll over with her face against the side of the playpen. The weave should be small, though, to keep her from getting her toes and fingers entangled in it. Also, the mesh should be attached securely to the floor of the playpen.
If you choose to have a walker in your baby’s nursery, make sure it has safety features that keep it from being able to fall down the stairs. Many children are hurt quite badly, and even killed, by falling down the stairs in walkers. The best advice about walkers is to only use them in rooms that have no stairs. If you take these tips into consideration, you will create children’s nurseries that are safe and comfortable for your family.