The Real Dangers of the Nursery

Having your first child is a magical and at times, frightening experience as you realize how much there is to organise. You want your baby’s bedroom and the nursery furniture to be better than a fairy tale dream, but it is important to think about you and your baby’s safety and wellbeing first. It's therefore important to ponder the dangers a nursery can present when creating your newborn's first room.

The initial thing to install to a child's room is a smoke detector, for a few pounds (or free from your community fire prevention officer) these essential devises must be your paramount consideration. When baby starts to crawl it's essential that any unused electrical outlet is sealed with a simple plastic plug protector to stop your curious child from sticking his fingers. It's also a sensible idea to situate nursery furniture in the way to prevent your child from finding outlets.

The second most vital thing is your child's cot since this is where they will initially spend most of their time in the early months. Cots are also one of the major causes of infant injury and fatalities so it is very important to ensure your cot abides by the recommended safety standards. Check the cot is deep enough to stop your child from climbing out as they grow. Ensure that the spacing between the bars is not capable of allowing the baby to trap their head.Ensure that cots with drop down sides lock automatically and cannot be worked free by baby. If using a second hand cot ALWAYS buy a new mattress for each child. Your mattress must have a gap of no more than 4cm around the outside of the cot to stop your child from becoming trapped.

Remember the 'back to sleep' advice designed to reduce sudden infant death syndrome and always lay your baby down on his back. When using a nightlight ensure it is located away from the cot and any other soft furnishings

When creating your nursery layout ensure no furniture is located close to windows, as your child grows they may attempt to climb up and have a look out. Never place low nursery furniture your toddler one can use to clamber on or furniture like cots or changing stations in front of windows to stop her from perhaps falling out. Keep the windows in the nursery properly secured. If you need to open the window to permit ventilation ensure the window is secured and never open more than 5cm, there are fastenings on the market that stop windows from being opened wide enough to allow a child to climb out.

Changing stations may also be a source of injury but this normally is a result of carers believing their child to be protected and walking away. Using a u - shaped changing mat can assist greatly in making sure your baby can't roll away and some changing stations even have securings to secure your child. Changing equipment must be positioned beyond the child’s reach in a drawer of on a shelf. Babies and toddlers are instinctively curious and nappy sacks or rash creams are potentially harmful.

Rather disturbingly one of the most common reasons of injury in a child's room are window dressings and blinds. Avoid using long curtains or drapes that may ensnare and asphyxiate a small baby and never hang blinds with lengthy cords in your baby’s nursery. When using blinds ensure the cords are fastened up to keep them short and are never within a baby’s reach.

It's always good to have storage for the plethora of playthings baby will soon collect but choose cautiously. Toy boxes must be fitted with safety hinges or lightweight fabric lids to stop fingers from being trapped. As your youngster gets bigger, he may clamber inside the toy chesttoy box and a weighty lid could trap her so it’s important they be fitted with safety hinges or lightweight lids. Drawers are also potentially harmful and ideally should have a safety close action. Wardrobe and cupboard doors are also a potential hazard to your child and you must consider fitting safety catches to stop your youngster from injuring themselves

By following good information and making sure their furniture meets the European standards new parents can design safe, stylish and welcoming nurseries for their newborn.