With your first baby on the way, you have probably spent quite a bit of time thinking about how you are going to set up the nursery. Luckily, with a little bit of planning and a few basic gadgets, you should be able to create a nursery that is safe, secure, and comfortable.
Install the Proper Alarms
Having the proper alarms and detectors throughout your home is one of the best things that you can do for your family’s safety. In addition to installing a smoke alarm in the nursery, you should also consider putting up a carbon monoxide detector. Luckily, many companies now sell multi-purpose alarms that test for a wide variety of contaminants and toxins, including asbestos, black mold, and radon. Some of those devices will even send you a text message when any contaminants are detected.
Skip the Extra Blankets and Pillows
While filling your child’s crib and nursery with plush blankets and soft pillows might improve the aesthetics of the room, all of that extra fabric can be dangerous as well. Many babies will attempt to climb on top of pillows to reach objects that are on dressers and shelves. Placing extra items in the crib is also going to increase your child’s risk of SIDS. As a general rule, the crib should have nothing more than one or two small pillows that are completely chemical-free.
Cover the Electrical Outlets
It is an unfortunate fact that babies often become fascinated with electrical outlets because they see adults use them so often. That is just one of the many reasons why all unused outlets should be protected with outlet plugs. For outlets that are being used, you can install small outlet boxes that are almost fully enclosed.
Switch to Vertical Blinds
In addition to making your baby’s room quiet and comfortable, vertical blinds are also going to be safer. With luxaflex blinds over the windows, it will be much more difficult for your child to pull the mounting brackets out of the wall. Once the blinds have been installed, you must make sure that the cords are kept out of reach at all times. Any loose cords or wires in the room are going to be major safety hazards.
As your baby grows and becomes more mobile, you will need to take a fresh look at their nursery once every few weeks to see if any changes must be made. Once they are able to crawl around and pull themselves up, you might need to invest in products such as cabinet latches, furniture anchors, window guards, and safety knob covers.
