Continued from page 1
· A hardware-mounted gate that attaches to
doorframe without any openings to trap fingers or necks. Pressure-mounted gates should not be used between rooms of different levels or at top of stairs; children can dislodge them and take a tumble. · Gates that swing out should never be used at top of stairways. · Nonflexible vertical slats or rods should be no more than 2 3/8 inches apart. · Check for sharp edges and protrusions that could hurt a toddler's hands. · Avoid gates with structures that could give a child a foothold for climbing. Keep large toys away from gate to prevent a child from using them to climb over. · The gate should be no less than 3/4 of child's height
Playpens
These high-sided, enclosed play areas are popular because they allow parents to put their baby down with knowledge that he can't wander off. It is great when you have to answer phone, do a bit of ironing, or just catch a quick breath!
When purchasing a playpen, look for following:
· Holes in mesh should be no larger than 1/4 inch to keep small fingers from getting caught; · The sides should be at least 20 inches high, measured from floor of playpen; · Look for padding on tops of rails to protect your baby from bumps. · The locks that allow you to lower a side should be out of your baby's reach.
Baby Monitors
The idea behind a baby monitor is that you can have ability to move around house or your yard and still be able to keep tabs on your baby by listening or now viewing your baby. This can help alert you to a crying baby, a baby who needs your help or just help you watch baby while he or she sleeps.
The baby/nursery monitor that you buy will have different levels of mobility. The base usually plugs into wall, usually nursery or wherever your baby is sleeping. The receiver can plug in or be mobile. If you intend to use monitor as you move from room to room, you will want to invest in mobile kind, versus stationary variety.
When purchasing a baby monitor, look for following:
· There should be at least two channels to choose from; · Be sure that you have a low battery indicator light. Without this you might be listening to receiver, thinking all is quiet in baby's room, when in fact all you've got is a dead battery; · Has a power-on light so that you can know unit is on without disturbing baby; · Has a volume control to put you in charge of how loudly you wish to hear your baby; · Are you planning to carry around your end of monitoring system? Then you might want a belt clip!
Bath Seats
A bath seat gives your child added support while in bathtub and can help prevent a soapy baby from slipping out of your hands and hitting her head on tub. Keep in mind, however, that you should NEVER leave your child unattended in tub!
When purchasing a bath seat, look for following:
· Never use a bath seat on textured or non-skid surfaces unless manufacturer’s instructions specifically state seat is intended for such surfaces; · Look for JPMA Certification Seal.
Always remember, no matter what safety product you are buying, to look at features to be sure they meet your specific requirements. Also check to be sure that product you are considering has not recently been recalled. The safety of your child is of utmost importance – don’t leave it to chance!
