Calling all new mamas and moms-to-be! We know you have ton on your mind (as well as on your to-do list), especially when it comes to keeping your baby safe and healthy. I’m here as the resident baby expert at Kathy Kuo Home–I’ve covered the family trends and baby gear space since 2014 and have experience as a JPMA Innovation Awards Judge, as a baby and family magazine editor, and as a panel moderator for a variety of baby and pregnancy events–to guide you as design a nursery that’s not only beautiful, but also super-safe!
As proud retailers in the nursery and children’s furniture market, baby safety is a cause near and dear to our hearts here at Kathy Kuo Home (and of course, our founder Kathy is a mom-of-two herself, so she understands this first-hand). And there’s no better time to educate yourself on key baby safety precautions to take at home than September, the Juvenile Products Manufacturer’s Association’s annual Baby Safety Month.
Every September the JPMA works with retailers and vendors in every aspect of the baby gear space to get the word out about vital safety topics that all new parents should verse themselves in. This year, JPMA is helping educate parents and caregivers on the safe selection and use of juvenile products. This applies to sleep safety, baby-proofing, smart shopping, and furniture tip-over safety. Shopping for a new baby can be super-overwhelming, but if you use “safety first” as your guidepost, you can’t go wrong!
As a our resident baby gear expert here at KKH, I’m excited to share the scoop on key safety tips you can take to keep your child safe, that also go hand-in-hand with stylish nursery and home design. –Mia Weber, Content & Blog Manager
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How to Shop Strategically to Maximize Safety & Style (As Well as Your Budget!)
The good thing about baby safety is that a lot of it is 100 percent in your control–there’s so much you can check off your list before baby arrives that can help ease your mind tremendously. Baby safety at home starts when you make your baby registry and start shopping for furniture and gear. Do your research thoroughly and look at your budget critically. Investing strategically in higher-priced options when it comes to things like your crib, crib mattress, bassinet, stroller, car seat, and baby-wearing carrier can make a huge difference in terms your child’s health and safety because you are more likely to get non-toxic materials and better quality design.
According to the JPMA, the safest option–meaning the products meeting the most current safety standards–are going to options that are newer to the market. If you trust the source, second-hand products can sometimes be a good options, but it’s highly recommended that you double-check to make sure all parts are available for the product, and that there hasn’t been a recall issues at any time.
Finally, once you have chosen your nursery products carefully, don’t skip on registering your products. The JPMA notes that through product registration, parents can establish a direct line of communication with the manufacturer should a problem arise with a product purchased. This means you’ll be informed if a recall occurs, can keep up to date on warranty information, and can easily seek answers if you have a safety concern.
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Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Sleep Safety (But Were Nervous to Ask About!)
Sleep safety is one of the absolute most important aspects of baby safety at home. It can be a nerve-wracking subject to ask about because there are a lot of polarizing opinions out there about sleep training, co-sleeping, swaddling, and smart cribs. And while there’s not always a cut-and-dry answer to every question about baby sleep, there are some solid rules to live by help ensure that baby gets a good night’s sleep that’s also super-safe.
Naturally, safe sleep starts with the crib. A well-designed crib is going to be crafted with baby-safe materials, is going to be height adjustable, and going to be built to last. When you put your crib together, the JPMA advises that you only use hardware directly from the manufacturer and that you check the stability often. When setting up the crib, you’ll also want to select a a properly fitting mattress (this means no gaps in the sides or on the ends that baby could slip into) and quality crib sheets.
Until your little one is over 12 months, never add extra pillows, blankets or stuffed toys into the crib while baby is sleeping–they should have just their fitted crib sheet, a well-fitting mattress pad, and a swaddle or sleep sack, and until 12 months should always sleep on their back to protect your baby from the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
When it comes to designing your nursery, make sure you position the crib out of arm’s reach of any cords or strings–this could include cords from electronics, baby monitors, or lamps, as well as the pull-strings on blinds or shades. Once your child becomes stronger and more mobile, remove hanging mobiles from cribs, and also make sure that you’re adjusting your crib rail height and mattress height according to their growth (you’re want to move your child to a toddler bed–you may want to consider a crib that converts into one–when they begin to try to climb out or reach a height of 35 inches).
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How to Baby-Proof Your Home Like a Pro (And Still Actually Love How it Looks!)
It’s no secret that baby-proofing latches and locks aren’t always the world’s most stylish decor pieces. But, thorough baby-proofing goes a long way in terms of keeping your little one safe, and if you’re strategic about it, the results can be almost as subtle as they are safe. And hey, just remember your precious fragile lil baby will eventually grow up to be a sullen teenager and you’ll wish your biggest worry was that they were going to be able to open the cabinets while your back is turned!
One good approach is to go room by room make a list of the areas and items you need to proof and then purchase the necessary supplies from a reputable retailer. It’s also a good practice to install a working smoke alarm on every level of your home and to change the batteries regularly.
Pro tip: You’ll want to begin baby-proofing your home well before baby arrives, because the average home is full of potential hazards. Since babies are notoriously curious, the best approach is to try to put yourself in their mindset. Sit on the floor and look around for sharp corners, electrical outlets, and loose cords. Consider latches for cabinets, drawers, garbage cans, and toilet seats; invest in a baby gate for staircases and doorways; and add non-slip pads under your rugs.
Another key tip from the JPMA: If you are preparing for your second or third baby, don’t be fooled into thinking you’re all set and don’t need to do additional proofing. In fact, having an older sibling is proven to create additional hazards in the home from items like toys and toddler gear that may be safe for a child of 3 years and up but isn’t safe for a newborn or baby under 12 months.
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How to Prevent Your Curious Baby From Tipping Furniture Over!
Our final Baby Safety Month topic concerns furniture tip over. Securing furniture and large electronics like TVs is extremely important and should be done well before baby arrives. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), about four children under age 6 die every year in furniture tip-over accidents, and another five are killed when unsecured furniture plus a TV fall. The good news is that you can reduce the risk of these accidents if you plan accordingly and take child safety seriously.
Designing the nursery of your dreams should be a fun and creative process, but don’t forget to take the extra steps at the end of day to properly anchor and secure any furniture pieces that could potentially tip–this includes bookcases, dressers, storage cabinets, and changing tables. Of course, this applies beyond the nursery as well–make sure TVs and heavy cabinets and shelving units are all properly anchored to the wall with high-quality anti-tip kits. Furthermore, never store a TV on a piece of furniture not meant for a TV, avoid placing small items that could interest a child (like decor or remotes) on top of a TV or large bookcase or dresser, and make double-sure that you’ve installed your anchors properly.
When installing furniture tip restraints, safety straps, or anchors, follow the instructions carefully and remember these handy steps: Locate a wall stud, install the wall bracket, attach the bracket to the item, install or tighten the strap. And keep in mind that some items may benefit from the use of two anchors depending on their weight.
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