Ellie:
You've chosen all the furniture, the décor and even splurged on a few extras for baby's room.
Melissa:
But have you done all you can in your home to keep baby safe?
Both:
Hi we're Ellie and Melissa, the Baby Planners. From baby monitors to toilet locks, we've got your home safety checklist, step by step.
Melissa:
Start with the basics. Make sure you have smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors near every separate sleeping area of the home. and don't forget a fire extinguisher.
Ellie:
Start baby proofing the house before baby arrives. Move breakables to top shelves, shorten drapery, and tie up all window blind and drapery cords that could pose a strangulation risk.
Melissa:
Put window guards, preferably with emergency release devices, on all windows above the first floor. Did you know baby can fall from a window that's open as little as four inches?
Melissa:
Install child resistant outlet covers. Stay away from simple plugs that baby can remove. Bundle and tie excess electrical cords.
Ellie:
Use guards on sharp tables corners, fireplace screens, and TV and DVD player guards.
Melissa:
Use hardware mounted safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs and across entryways to prevent falls.
Ellie:
Make sure all railings are secure and use mesh or plastic barriers to cover openings that are more than 3 and a half inches apart.
Melissa:
And anchor all heavy furniture securely to the wall.
Ellie:
There's no need to stand over baby's crib if you've got a monitor on duty.
Melissa:
Audio versions are the most common.
Ellie:
Choose a portable model so you can take the receiver with you from room to room.
Melissa:
Video versions, while obviously more expensive, allow you to see if baby is really asleep.
Ellie:
Some come with night vision, or second camera capability.
Melissa:
And some even send pictures and audio to your mobile phone! Look for the following features:
Mother:
Jack, I'll be there in a minute!
Ellie:
An intercom—the sound of your voice can be there before you are when baby is fussy
Melissa:
AC adapter or rechargeable batteries so you don't run out of power
Ellie:
An out of battery signal so you'll know if you have…
Melissa:
An out of range alert so you'll know when you've gone too far away from the handset
Ellie:
A thermometer so you can stay on top of the temperature in baby's room
Melissa:
And a motion sensor. Placed under the mattress, it will let you know if baby doesn't move within a certain time frame, a possible sign of sudden infant death syndrome or SIDS.
Ellie:
Interference from cell phones and the like is common with any monitor, so choose a 900MHZ or above with multiple channels.
Melissa:
And keep your receipt—you'll want to give it a thorough test at home.
Ellie:
In the kitchen, use stove and burner guards and knob covers. Put locks on cabinets or drawers with knives or dangerous chemicals or supplies. Better yet, store entirely out of reach.
Melissa:
Make sure auto locks on appliances are in working order, and don't forget to secure appliance cords
Ellie:
In the bathroom, store buckets and containers upside down. Keep toilet lids closed and locked, and protect baby's head by covering the tub spout with a cushioned guard.
Melissa:
Set your water heater thermostat to 120 degrees, but also test the water with a tub thermometer or your elbow before putting baby in the water. And of course, never leave baby unattended in a bath.
Ellie:
Last but not least, ALL over the counter and prescription meds should have child proof caps AND be locked up.
Melissa:
Follow these tips and you're sure to be more secure, step by step. For WebMD, we're the Baby Planners.
