Baby Health Safety

Every year many children require hospital treatment for injuries related to infant and nursery products. Approximately one in five injuries to children aged less than 12 months of age involves baby furniture. While buying furniture for your baby you need to be extra careful. Make safety your foremost requirement for your baby instead of style, color and comfort. Always keep in mind that your child needs supervision even if, your baby furniture meets all the safety standards.

Cots

Children need hospital treatment every year for serious injuries related to a cot. Injuries include falls and parts of the body stuck between bars. Fittings such as bolts, knobs and corners can catch on clothing and cause strangulation. While, purchasing a cot make sure that the bars or panels are spaced between 50mm and 95mm apart as bigger gaps can trap a baby’s head, arms or legs. Minimum depth of the cot should be 600mm from the base of the mattress to the top of the cot. Place the cot in a safe spot away from heaters, power points, windows and always use locking brakes.

Prams and strollers

Children are very susceptible for an injury related to a pram or stroller. Most injuries are related to a pram or stroller tipping backwards. Select a pram that has a strong frame, easy steering, solid and durable wheels, and locks. Prams should have a backrest that reclines at an angle of more than 135 degrees to the bottom of the seat. The wheels of the Pram should have brakes. It is best to reduce the risk of falls by using a safety harness even for short trips. Make sure not to over load the pram as it may cause pram to tip over. Don’t allow a child to be left alone sleeping in a pram or stroller.

Change tables

Babies often fall from change tables. Change tables should have ends and sides raised to about 100mm to prevent your baby from falling. It should have smooth edges and must be sturdy. It’s best to use a safety harness at all times. Keep one hand on the child at all times and never leave the baby alone.

High chairs

A high chair is suitable for a baby who can sit upright alone and is useful for two or three years old. High Chairs should be well built so that it doesn’t rock easily. To reduce the risk of injury from high chairs always place the baby in the five point body harness to prevent falls and supervise the child for all the time. Place the chair away from appliance cords, curtain cords and anything else the child could grab.

Children can be easily injured if a toy box with heavy lid closes suddenly. Therefore buy toys with lightweight and removable lids. It’s best to avoid buying baby walkers. Babies have less control over the direction and speed of a baby walker and can easily overbalance themselves. Always remember your child needs close supervision even if your baby furniture meets all the safety standards.