Nothing is perhaps more exciting than welcoming a baby into the family. And whether you are the parent, a grandparent, or a close friend, you probably can’t wait to celebrate the birth with the purchase of any one of dozens of baby-care gifts.
But did you know that some of the very items used to protect and care for a baby can be dangerous? Each year many furnishings cause serious – sometimes fatal – injury to many babies around the world. Statistics show that injuries related to nursery equipment are common enough to warrant caution. Many accidents occur when parents leave an infant unattended, or when the baby is not properly restrained in the equipment.
When buying baby equipment, there are features you should look for as well as avoid. Here are some guidelines to consider:
Baby swings:
Head injuries are most commonly reported with baby swings. The swing should have well-secured safety straps to keep the baby from slipping out. Your baby should sit, not lie down, in the swing. The seat should be sturdy and needs to be compatible with your baby’s weight. Avoid sharp edges, rough surfaces, or pieces that can be broken off. Make sure that the ends of supporting tubes are closed and smooth. If the baby swing comes with small toys attached, be sure that they cannot be pulled off and don’t have small parts. Never leave your baby unsupervised in a swing; place it where you and your baby can see each other.
Baby walkers:
Compared to any other nursery product, the overall safety of baby walkers has been a serious concern because more babies have been reported hurt while using them. Most of the injuries occur when the baby falls down stairs, tips over on thresholds or the edges of rugs, or gets burned by reaching for hot objects or liquids. Experts suggest buying an activity center for the baby instead; your baby will be less mobile but better protected. If you decide to buy a walker, make sure that it is stable and too wide to fit through a standard home doorway of 32 inches (81 centimeters). You should double-check that it is wider than the widest opening in your home. The seat must be secure, and the springs should be covered. It should have a gripping device or other mechanism that stops the walker if one wheel accidentally slips over a step. Safety devices that keep the walker from folding or collapsing while in use are essential. Avoid X-shaped frames, since they can pinch and cut your baby’s fingers. Also be on the lookout for small parts that could loosen or break off and leg openings wide enough for your baby’s body to slip through. Never leave your baby in the walker unattended.
Cribs and portable cribs:
When buying a crib or a portable crib, verify that the slats are secure and tightly spaced. You should not be able to slip a soda can between slats. When lowered, the drop side should be at least 9 inches (23 centimeters) above the mattress at its highest setting. It should also fasten securely enough so that your baby cannot release it. Paint and other crib finishes must be nontoxic. The mattress must fit snugly inside the crib, with gaps no more than 1 inch (3 centimeters) wide. It should also be firm and not more than 6 inches (15 centimeters) thick. A mattress that is too soft or worn could form a hollow where your baby’s head might get trapped. Remove all toys, mobiles, and crib gyms suspended over the crib when your baby begins to push up on hands and knees. Once your baby can sit up, set the mattress at its lowest position and take out bumper pads and large toys. Avoid the following: elaborate cutouts on end panels or slats; pointed or rough edges; wheels that don’t lock; single-motion locks for drop sides; and decorative knobs or corners. Keep the crib away from blinds or drapery cords, which your baby may reach and strangle on. You may also want to avoid cribs and other baby furniture made of pressed wood or other manufactured wood products; these items often release toxic chemicals, such as formaldehyde, into the air for several years.
High chairs:
Secure restraint belts, including a crotch strap that loops into the waist belt, are a must. Buckles should be sturdy and easy to fasten. The chair itself must have wide legs for stability (to avoid tipping) and a locking device that prevents the chair from accidentally folding while your baby is in it. The tray bottom should have no exposed or rough edges. Seat seams should be smoothly sealed, without rough or crimped edges. Avoid crotch straps that attach to the front of the seat and restraint belts that are not adjustable or that have D-ring-style buckles. Also watch out for small parts and easily removed end caps.
Infant seats:
Look for a wide, sturdy base to avert accidents caused by the seat collapsing or falling off an elevated surface. If the seat is held erect primarily by a flip-back handle, press down while the handle is in the rear support position to be sure that the locking mechanism holds. Check the base for rubber tips or other nonskid surfacing that might prevent it from "walking" with your baby’s motions. A sturdy, easy-to-operate safety belt is essential. Place crossed straps low enough to avoid the neck if your baby slides down in the seat. Avoid any seat that seems flimsy or that is easily tipped over. Test by pressing down on it from different positions to check its stability. Even the sturdiest seat with a nonskid bottom should never be placed on a smooth, elevated surface, or a soft (water bed) or vibrating surface (top of a washing machine). If you set the seat on any high surface, keep an eye on your baby at all times. Never use an infant seat to transport your baby in a car; it is not a substitute for a child safety seat.
Playpens and portable playpens:
Any playpen or portable playpen must have well-protected hinges and multistep locking actions for assembly and disassembly especially since your baby may want to explore and try to wiggle all the moving parts. There should also be sturdy floor supports, with a fifth leg under the center of the playpen. Top rails of thickly padded vinyl are essential. Mesh sides should be tightly woven, with mosquito-type netting that does not allow baby fingers or little buttons to get through. Avoid sharp edges or protrusions, flimsy legs, and drop sides. The draft guards on the bottom of the playpen must be permanently attached, not stapled or glued. Stay away from fold-down sides that use supports with a scissor-action mechanism. Never leave your baby in a drop-sided playpen with the side down. Your baby can roll into the space between the mattress and the drop side and suffocate. To prevent the playpen from moving, don’t use more than two castors or wheels. Don’t add extra padding to the playpen or toys big enough for your baby to step on to climb out. Also check for torn vinyl and foam; children have bitten off pieces and choked, or have crawled inside the torn vinyl cover of a floor pad and suffocated.
Strollers and carriages:
Choose a stroller recommended for your baby’s weight and height. For stability, a wide wheel base is desirable, as is a low-mounted seat and a chassis that resists tipping. Make sure that the wheels are fixed tightly and aligned, with all wheels touching the ground at the same time. Sprocket-style rear wheel locks are safer than the kind that uses levers to press against the tires. There should also be two safety latches that require two releases to close the stroller. To prevent your baby from sliding out of a stroller, look for leg openings that are restricted or closable. Be sure there is a sturdy restraint belt, one that fastens around the child’s waist as well as the crotch, to help prevent the child from slipping. Make sure that the lap belt is solidly attached to the seat or frame. The seat should not pull away from the frame, even if you tug on the belt. Avoid buckles that are difficult to fasten and snaps that are sewn on instead of being molded onto the material. Inspect restraint belts carefully and avoid those that fasten across the stroller rather than across the baby. Be on the lookout for any sharp edges or protrusions, as well as X-shaped joints that could pinch your baby’s fingers. Never use a stroller on an escalator.
Gather information and learn which design features have true safety value to help guarantee that your selection will be the best and safest you can get for your money. And by following the above guidelines, you can help ensure that serious injuries won’t happen and that the articles you buy will be both helpful and safe.
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