A Parents Guide To Purchasing Safe Nursery Furniture

Having your first child is a magical and at times, daunting experience as you realize how much there is to organise. You want to produce the ultimate nursery for your first baby and provide a retreathaven of security and reassurance but it is also crucial to make certain the safety of your newborn too. It's therefore crucial to consider the potential dangers a nursery can present when creating your child's first room.

The first thing to install to a new nursery is a smoke detector, for just a couple of pounds (or free from your community fire prevention officer) these essential devises must be your initial consideration. Socket protectors to seal any unused electrical sockets are also a good idea when your child starts to play and wander about. Whenever possible, try to obscure electrical leads and sockets with nursery furniture your baby can't move, like changing tables.

Your child's cot is the item of nursery furniture where she will spend the most time during her early months. Cots are also one of the leading causes of baby harm and fatalities so it is very important to make sure your cot follows the appropriate safety standards. Check the cot is deep enough to stop your baby from climbing out as they get older. The rails of the cot should be near enough together to stop your baby from trapping their head. Make sure that if the cot has lowering sides that they have suitable locks to stop them from being accidently operated by your child. It's essential that used cots are inspected thoroughly for damage to fixtures and fastenings and that you purchase a brand new mattress for your child. Your mattress must leave a gap of no more than 4cm around the outside of the cot to stop your child from becoming trapped.

Head the 'back to sleep' campaign designed to prevent sudden infant death syndrome and always lay your child down on his back. If using a nightlight make sure it is located away from the cot and any other soft furnishings

When creating your child's room layout make certain no furniture is located beneath windows, when your child learns to stand they might try to climb up and have a look out. Never place low nursery furniture your childlittle one can use to climb on or things like cots or changing stations beneath windows to stop her from perhaps falling out. Window locks are a great way to make sure your youngster's windows can only be opened by you. When opening a window for airing make sure it is firmly fixed and ideally never open more than 5cm.

Changing stations can also be a cause of injury but this normally is a consequence of parents thinking their baby to be secure and wandering away. Using a u - shaped changing mat can assist greatly in making sure your child can't roll away and some changing stations even have securings to strap your child. Keep your changing gear out of baby's reach. Babies and toddlers are instinctively inquisitive and nappy sacks or rash creams are potentially harmful.

Window dressings are a common reason of injuries and death in young children. It's vital that short window dressings are used that small children can't become entwined in and that the cords on Venetian blinds are kept short. When using blinds make sure the cords are tied up to keep them short and are never within a child's reach.

It's important to have storage for the plethora of playthings your youngster will no doubt collect but select carefully. Look for toy chests that have no lid or have very lightweight or safety hinged lids. As your youngster gets older, she might climb inside the toybox and a heavy lid could trap her so it's important they be fitted with safety hinges or lightweight lids. You should also try to select nursery furniture with lids and drawers that are not as likely to pinch your baby's tiny digits. Doors also present a hazard to little digits and all doors must be fitted with child safe catches to stop little digits from becoming hurt

By following sensible recommendations and making sure their furniture meets the appropriate standards new parents can create safe, warm and stimulating bedrooms for children and babies for their new baby.