Protecting your child - Purchasing appropriate baby furniture

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Author: jonathan swift

Article source: http://www.articledeshboard.com/. Used with author's permission.

The initial thing to install to a new nursery is a smoke detector, for a few pounds (or free from your community fire prevention officer) these life saving devises must be your paramount purchase. Socket protectors to seal any unused electrical outlets are also a great idea when your baby starts to explore and move around. Wherever possible, try to hide electrical cords and outlets with nursery furniture your toddler doesn't use, like wardrobes.

Your child's cot is the item of nursery furniture where she will spend the most time during his initial months. When picking a cot it's essential to ensure they comply with the appropriate safety standards (BS EN 716 in the UK). Your cot must be deep enough so your child is unable to climb out. Check that the spacing between the rails is not capable of allowing the baby to trap their head.Make sure that cots with drop down sides lock automatically and cannot be unlocked by baby. If you have a used cot ALWAYS buy a brand new mattress for each child. The mattress must have a gap of no more than 4cm around the outside of the cot to prevent your child from becoming trapped.

Remember to place your baby down to sleep on his back to reduce the dangers of cot death(SIDS) and refrain from using pillows or very fluffy bed clothes in the cot. When using a nightlight ensure it is placed away from the cot and any other fabrics

When designing your child's room layout make certain no furniture is placed close to windows, as your child grows they may try to climb up and have a look out. Never position small nursery furniture your childlittle one may use to climb on or things like cots or changing stations in front of windows to prevent her from perhaps falling out. Keep the windows in the child's room properly secured. When opening a window for ventilation ensure it is properly fixed and ideally never open more than 5cm.

Another item of baby furniture responsible for numerous child injuries is the changing station. Using a wedge shaped changing mat can assist greatly in making sure your baby can't roll away and some changing tables even have straps to fix your child. Changing equipment must be positioned well out of reach in a drawer of on a shelf. Babies and toddlers are naturally curious and nappy sacks or rash creams can be potentially dangerous.

Rather worryingly one of the most common reasons of injury in a child's room are window dressings and blinds. It's vital that short window dressings are used that small children can't become trapped in and that the cords on Venetian blinds are kept short. When using blinds ensure the cords are fastened up to keep them short and are never within a child's reach.

Select your toy storage carefully. Toyboxes must be fitted with safety hinges or lightweight fabric lids to prevent little fingers from becoming trapped. Boxes are enticing places for toddlers to climb into so it's vital they can't become shut in. You should also try to choose baby furniture with lids and drawers that won't pinch your baby's tiny digits. Doors also pose a danger to children's digits and all doors must be fitted with child safe mechanisms to prevent tiny digits from becoming hurt

By following good advice and making sure their furniture complys the appropriate legislation new parents can design safe, warm and welcoming nurseries for their newborn.

Gary blogs extensively on nursery furniture sets for his blog and his online shop Monkeyshine the place to go for chic lifestyleshopping for under 10s.With a great deal of knowledge he is able to offer advice on a wide range of issues from furnishing a nursery to a humble baby changing mat.