In the Nursery

To prevent your baby's head from getting stuck. Make sure the slats on your baby's crib are  less than 2-3/8 inches apart.  Please do not use a crib that has been used previously, as the crib may not be up to the regulations of today. A good indicator to see if the slats are far enough apart is take a soda can and try to fit the bottom through the slats. If it fits you need to purchase a new crib. If it does not then your crib should be ok for use.

The corner posts should not be any higher than the end panels, and they should never extend over the end panels.

Is the mattress in good condition? No holes or tears?

Make sure to remove stuffed animals and any other items that could cause suffocation.

Make sure the crib is not near any windows, electrical outlets, lamps, pictures or anything else that could harm your child..

As soon as your child begins to pull herself up you should remove any mobiles in the crib.

Make sure all outlets are covered in the nursery.

Make sure all blind and curtain cords are shortened or away from your baby completely.

Put your baby to sleep on her back or side in a crib with a firm, flat mattress and no soft bedding underneath her. This will help prevent (SIDS) Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

In the bathroom

Make sure all medications, cleaning products and cosmetics are put away in cabinets with safety locks or locked in containers.

Always check bath water temperature with your wrist or elbow before putting your baby in to bathe. This will prevent burns to a baby's skin.

Never leave your child alone in the bathtub or near any water. Not even for a minute to grab the phone. This will prevent children from drowning. Make sure to keep children away from standing types of water also, such as 5 gallon buckets and toilets.

Place a latch on the toilet seat this will prevent your child fro getting into the toilet and possibly drowning.

Make sure it is sanitary near the toilet and on the counter tops. A baby may become sick from the germs found in your bathroom.

Make sure no water is left on the floor to avoid slipping.

In the kitchen

Make sure all the electrical outlets covered?

Place latches on al the cabinets and drawers.

Make sure all cords and electrical appliances out of your baby's reach.

Is your child's highchair installed with safety straps? This will prevent injuries and deaths from the baby climbing out, falling, or sliding under the tray.

When you cook, use your stove's back burners. Keep pot handles turned to the back of the stove. This will prevent deaths and injuries from burns.

Are all household cleaning products, knives, matches, and plastic bags locked away from children? This will prevent poisonings, bleeding injuries, burns, and suffocation.

Are all surfaces clean? It is very important to keep the floor and counters clean to avoid illness.

In the Car

Car seat safety check. Is it properly installed (refer to installation instructions and vehicle owner's manual)? Use the center of the back seat whenever possible - never in front passenger side when there is an airbag. Rear-facing for infants less than one year and 20 pounds. Your child must still be in a car seat until they are four years old, and weigh at least 40 pounds.

Make sure there are no loose items in the vehicle that could become possible missiles if you must make a quick stop.

Always check to see the temperature of the car seat and the belts before strapping your child into the car seat.

In other living areas

Are smoke detectors installed on each floor of your home, especially near sleeping areas? Change the batteries each year. This will prevent deaths and injuries from fires.

Are fire extinguishers full? Do adults and older children know how to use them?

Are flashlights strategically placed in your home, with extra batteries available?

Is sleepwear fire retardant? Check the labels to be sure.

Are safety gates set up to keep baby out of harms reach like stairways, fireplaces, and other areas baby shouldn't be?

Are all all small objects, including tiny toys and balloons, away from young children? This will prevent choking and possible death.

Check condition and sturdiness of toys. Discard any with sharp edges or ones that are broken or falling apart.

Is your baby's clothing free of loose buttons and strings.

Is baby's pacifier in good condition? Be sure it isn't coming apart. Never use strings to attach the pacifier to baby's clothes or crib.

Bolt bookshelves and other large furniture to the walls. This will prevent the furniture from toppling over onto the child.