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As your baby grows so does their curiosity. You will soon watch your baby crawl, pull up to stand, cruise around furniture, and soon walk. Your baby's budding curiosity and inexperience can be a dangerous mix. It's important that you know the importance of child proofing your home, because your baby's safety is your main priority.
 Baby's Crib:
- Do not put any soft or loose bedding in your baby's crib. Your baby can tug on the loose sheets or blankets and put in over his head.
- Make sure the mattress is the right fit for the crib.
- Avoid buying old cribs that may have a loose screw, or whose bars may be broken.
- The crib railings must be at least 2 3/8 inches apart.
- Do not put teddy bears or any stuffed animals in your babies crib.
Strings or Cords:
- Make sure your baby's crib is not next to a window-blind, so your baby cannot reach the cord.
- Put out of reach, any telephone or electrical cord, or curtain cord
Clothes:
- Make sure that your baby's clothes are a proper fit. An oversize shirt may cause a restless baby to wiggle out of the shirt, and twist it around his neck.
- Never put any jewelry on a baby, such as necklace, bracelet, or baby ring. These items will cause strangulation or become a choking hazard.
- Always check your baby's clothes for loose buttons..
Toys:
- Buy age appropriate toys for your baby. Avoid any toys that are really small. If a toy can pass through a toilet paper tube, then you should not be giving it to your baby.
- Throw away any toys that are broken or have loose parts.
- Look up toys that have been recalled on the internet.
- Always inspect your baby's toys to make sure that everything is still in tact.
- Crawl on your hand and knees in your child's play area, in order to make sure that there are not any small items on the ground that can go in your baby's mouth and pose a choking hazard.
Furniture:
- Make sure that all of your furniture is safe and secure. Get rid of any wobbly tables or any furniture that may tip over while your baby is cruising...
- Remove glass tables that have a sharp edge, in order to avoid baby from running into it.
- Put away any vase, ceramics, or statues from your dresser once your baby is pulling up on furniture or walking.
- Make sure your television is placed in a secure unit, to avoid it falling on top of your baby.
Keeping Baby Safe in Car Restraints
- Keep your baby buckled up in a car seat every time you travel by car. Every time your baby rides in the car, she should be restrained in an approved child safety-restraint seat. In an accident, an unrestrained child can be thrown from the vehicle.
- All states now have laws that govern safety-restraint systems. Many hospitals won't let you take baby home if she is not going to ride in an approved safety-restraint seat. Many hospitals have loaner car seats you can borrow until you get your own.
- The safest spot for baby in a car is in the middle of the back seat. In this position, baby is more protected in the event of a side collision. Manufacturers recommend not putting the car seat in the front seat if you have a passenger-side air bag. If the bag inflates, it can knock the car seat around and injure baby.
- Use car seats that are age appropriate for your baby.
Safety Devices are important in the home when it comes to protecting your baby from danger. We have listed a few for you, as well as a brief description of their function.
1) Safety Latches and Locks :
Used for cabinets and drawers in your kitchen, bathroom, and other areas which help prevent children from gaining access to medicines, sharp objects, or household cleaners.
2) Safety Gates:
Helps prevent falls downstairs or keeps children from dangerous areas.
3) Smoke Detectors :
Alarms you with a loud ringing sound if it detects smoke in your home.
4) AntiScald Devices:
Used for faucets and shower heads, helps prevent burns from hot water.
5)Door Knobs and Door Locks:
Helps prevent children from entering areas with possible dangers or hazards like swimming pools.
6) Safety Tassels :
Helps prevent deaths and injuries from strangulation in the loops of the cord.
7 ) Window Guards;
Helps prevent falls from windows, decks, or balconies.
8) Outlet Covers:
Helps prevent children from electrical shock
9) Corner or Edge Bumpers:
Helps prevent injuries from sharp edges on furniture.
10) Carbon Monoxide Detector:
Helps prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
11) Stove Guard:
Helps prevent babies from getting too close to hot surfaces. Turn pan handles towards the back of the stove. Ideally keep young children out of the kitchen when you are cooking.
12) First Aid: In case of emergency, always have a first aid kit available in your home. Remember to lock up all detergents, sprays, or cleaning agents or anything hazardous out of baby's reach . Your first aid kit should contain the following:
- Adhesive tape
- Box of band aids
- Cotton balls
- Emergency telephone numbers
- Antibiotic ointment
- Ibuprofen, aspirin, acetaminophen
- Ipecac syrup
- Box of sterile gauze dressings, elastic wraps
- Antiseptic wipes
- Cold packs for icing injuries
- Thermometer, tweezers and small scissors
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