Baby Safety Equipment

Bedroom Safety

• Your baby will spend a lot of time in his bedroom, so you want to make sure it is a safe place. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies sleep on a firm mattress with a fitted sheet to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. Your baby's crib should not have a drop side and the mattress should fit tightly to prevent him from being trapped between them. Install a window guard on your child's window, as well as any other windows he can reach, and make sure it is secure. When you are using your baby's changing table, never leave him unattended, and always use a safety belt so he doesn't roll off.

Bathroom Safety

• Your bathroom can contain many hazards for your baby, so it is important to examine it carefully. The best way to avoid injuries in the bathroom is to not let your child inside without you. Install a safety lock on the doorknob to the bathroom so she can't open the door. In the bathtub, place no-slip strips on the bottom to prevent your baby from slipping and going under the water -- though she should never be unattended in the tub . Also use a cushioned cover over the faucet so she won't hurt her head on it. Use a toilet lid lock to discourage a curious young one from playing in the water and falling in. Make sure medications have child-resistant caps and keep them and other dangerous chemicals in a hard-to-reach cabinet with a safety latch installed.

Kitchen Safety

• As a parent, you spend a lot of your time in the kitchen, so it natural that your baby will be with you. Take extra precautions in this hazard-filled room. When possible, have your baby sit securely strapped in a highchair or in a playpen. Use a safety latch to lock all of the low cabinets and drawers to keep your baby away from hazardous items like cleaning supplies or sharp utensils. Use knob covers on your stove dials to prevent your baby from turning them on. Also apply burner covers so he doesn't touch the hot surface, and use an oven lock to keep him from opening its door.

Around the House

• All around your home, you should attach furniture straps to all tip-prone furniture, according to Charlie's House, a home safety organization. This includes dressers, televisions and bookcases that could fall on your baby if she pulled or climbed on them. Block off stairwells by installing safety gates at the top and bottom, and make sure that the space between balusters is less than 3 1/2 inches. Place electrical outlet covers in all wall sockets so that your baby does not place her fingers in them. The AAP recommends placing a smoke alarm outside of each bedroom and on every level of your home, as well as a carbon monoxide detector on each level of your home. Use window blind cord wind-ups to make sure your baby can't get tangled in the cords. Put corner protectors on sharp furniture corners that your little one could bump her head on.