Ensure a safe nursery for your baby by removing these 7 “common” items that could pose a risk to their health and safety. Create a secure environment for your little one today!
Many of the things on the list are present in every home where a baby is growing up. And although they seem ordinary and familiar, they can actually be quite dangerous. Make sure to remove them, if not from the house, then at least from the baby’s room.
Cords
Whether it’s a blind cord or an extension cord, all of these can increase the risk of injury. It’s best to hide wires in cable channels or at least try to position furniture and electronics in relation to outlets so that the cords don’t stretch across the room. As for blinds, there have been cases of strangulation, although this type of curtain may seem completely harmless. Make sure that they don’t become a problem, even in theory or in a tragic set of circumstances.
Bunk beds
Bunk beds are great for small children’s rooms, if there are two children in the family or if you want to organize a sports corner or a desk at floor level. However, it is important to be aware of the potential injury risk of such a design solution, especially for children under 6 years old. Experts advise not to rely on luck and equip the bed with safe railings on both sides (not counting the wall). In addition, do not forget to install a night light near the stairs to minimize the risk of falling due to poor visibility.
Furniture without fasteners
When buying furniture, you may have noticed in the instructions a recommendation to attach it to the wall. Even if you don’t want to ruin the wallpaper or you’re planning to rearrange it, your child’s health is more important. Such advice didn’t appear out of nowhere, but because of sad statistics: in the US alone, about 6,400 children are registered in emergency departments each year with injuries caused by furniture tipping over. A free-standing mirror is also not the best solution for a child’s room.
Heaters
Most electric heaters should not be left unattended, even by adults – you should not shift responsibility to the baby. Children can interpret safety rules in their own way: for example, hang wet things on the device or accidentally put flammable objects nearby, which can lead to fire and burns. It is also worth considering the possibility of tipping over during active play. It is better to use an extra blanket and warm pajamas than to expose the child to unnecessary risks.
Floor lamps
Floor lamps are dangerous for two reasons at once: not only are they easy to knock over or break during games, but it is worth considering that the bulb can get hot enough to cause a burn. A chandelier for a child’s room should also be chosen without frills and glass parts. If the lamp can easily withstand a hit from a ball, great. If you need additional lighting, choose a sconce with LED bulbs instead of a floor lamp.
First aid kit
Drug manufacturers traditionally warn: “keep out of reach of children.” But does everyone follow this requirement? Of course, it may be convenient to leave children’s medicines on the table by the bed of a sick child – but in this case there is no guarantee that he will not decide to use them on his own. Do not forget that most medicines for babies are made tasty – on the one hand, this helps to avoid disgust towards them, on the other hand, it increases the risk of uncontrolled use.
Small toys
Another warning that many parents ignore is the age limit on most toys, which are only intended for children over three years old. Even a seemingly harmless plush animal can cause choking if it contains small, unobvious plastic parts. Take age-appropriate toys seriously – this is important!