The following are safety reminders from the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)

From the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association >>

Bedding

Decorating the nursery is a favorite project for new parents and caregivers. Bedding must always be used as instructed by the manufacturer to help ensure baby’s safety.

• Infants should ALWAYS sleep in a crib, which meets current federal and ASTM standards.
• Choose a firm mattress that fits snugly in the crib.
• ALWAYS use a crib sheet that fits securely on the mattress and wraps around the mattress corners.
• Select bumper pads that fit around the entire crib and tie or snap securely into place.
• Use bumper pads only until the child can pull up to a standing position. Then remove them so the baby cannot use the pads to climb out of the crib.
• Mobiles should also be removed when baby can pull himself or herself up.
• NEVER place infants to sleep on pillows, sofa cushions, adult beds, waterbeds, beanbags, or any other surface not specifically designed for infant sleep.

• Normal, healthy infants should ALWAYS sleep on their backs unless otherwise advised by a pediatrician.
• Only a fitted sheet, mattress pad, and/or waterproof pad should be used under the baby.
• Remove pillows, quilts, comforters, sheepskins, pillow-like stuffed toys, and other pillow-like products from the crib.
• Cover baby with a thin covering, such as a crib blanket, receiving blanket or other blankets specifically designed for infants, only reaching as far as baby's chest, and tuck the covering around the crib mattress. For newborns, consider swaddling.
• Do not overdress your baby. Consider using a sleeper or other sleep clothing as an alternative to any covering.

Changing Tables

A changing table in the nursery provides a safe, sturdy place to change and dress baby. There are many different types of changing tables, including those that have a built-in dresser.

• When selecting a changing table, look for one with straps that help prevent baby from falling.
• If the changing table does not come with straps, purchase them separately and install on the changing table.
• ALWAYS use these straps to restrain baby when the changing table is in use.
• Be sure any baby products you need, such as powder or wipes, are easily accessible.
• NEVER turn your back on baby when reaching for baby products.
• Most importantly, NEVER leave baby unattended, even for the shortest moment.

The First Years

Full-Size Cribs

This first “home” should be cheerful and secure. Each year, approximately 50 babies suffocate or strangle when they become trapped between broken crib parts or in cribs with older, unsafe designs. Many older cribs do not meet all current safety standards. Even if you are on a tight budget, you should not purchase an old crib at a garage sale or accept a hand me down.

• Remember to ALWAYS keep the drop side up when baby is in the crib.
• NEVER place your crib near windows, draperies, blinds or wall mounted decorative accessories with long cords
• Make sure there are no missing, loose, broken or improperly installed screws, brackets or other hardware on the crib or the mattress support.
• Crib slats or spindles should be spaced no more than 2 3/8” apart, and none should be loose or missing.
• Never use a crib with corner posts over 1/16 of an inch above the end panels (unless they’re over 16” high for a canopy). Babies can strangle if their clothes become caught on corner posts. These should be unscrewed or sawed off, and the remaining end panel should be sanded smooth.
• The crib mattress should fit snugly with no more than two fingers width between the edge of the mattress and the crib side. Otherwise, baby can get trapped between the mattress and the side of the crib.
• No cutout areas on the headboard or footboard so baby’s head cannot get trapped.
• No cracked or peeling paint.
• No splinters or rough edges.
• Look for the JPMA Certification Seal.

From the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission >>

For babies under 12 months, CPSC, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development recommend the following to help reduce the risk of SIDS:

• Place baby on his/her back on a firm, tight-fitting mattress in a crib that meets current safety standards.
• Remove pillows, quilts, comforters, sheepskins, pillow-like stuffed toys and other pillow-like soft products from the crib.
• Consider using a sleeper as an alternative to blankets with no other covering.
• If using a blanket, put baby with his or her feet at the foot of the crib. Tuck a thin blanket around the crib mattress, only as far as the baby's chest.
• Make sure your baby's head remains uncovered during sleep.
• Do not place baby on a waterbed, sofa, soft mattress, pillow or other soft surface to sleep.