Keeping Baby Safe: Your Most ImportantRole As A ParentOnce your beautiful bundle of joy arrives, thework of raising your
child really begins. Thebiggest job you have as a parent is keepingyour baby safe. Yet, it is impossible to watchover your children twenty-four hours a day.Thankfully, there are many
safety productsavailable to keep them from getting hurt.These
products include safety gates, outletcovers, oven and table bumpers, doorknobcovers, bed rails, locks and guards, and manymore. As a parent, you need to use productsthat are one step ahead of their children''sabilities, and can do so by getting down ontheir level and looking around. This gives youa child''s eye perspective of child safety issuesin your home.But with so many products to buy and so manydifferent brand names, how do you decidewhat products you need most? The best thingto do when it comes to safety is buy newproducts rather than used ones. An older,used product may have been recalled due todangerous safety issues, or it may bedamaged from previous use. Althoughhand-me-downs are great for clothes andtoys, your child’s safety is just too important toleave to chance. Babies R Us is a great placeto find all the safety products you need.That still leaves the issue of how to choosebetween one safety gate, for instance, andanother. Here are some purchasing tips forsome of the more popular safety items you willneed for your baby.Car SeatsMore children are seriously injured and killedin auto accidents than in any other type ofaccident. Each year, hundreds of lives couldbe saved if children were protected in cars byusing child safety seats. Using a child safetyseat is the best protection you can give yourchild when traveling by car.When purchasing a car seat, look for:· Label states that it meets or exceeds theFederal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards;· Is the car seat appropriate for your child''sheight and weight?· Be aware of the type of seat belts your carhas; all car seats are not compatible with allseat belts;· Check recent car seat recalls before makinga purchase;· Be sure that the seat you choose fits yourchild - a smaller baby can slip out of a seatthat''s too large. Infants one year or youngerand up to 20 pounds must be placed in arear-facing seat, toddlers (older than 1 yearand between 20 and 40 pounds) may use aforward-facing seat, and children who arebetween 40 and 80 pounds need to be placedin a booster seat;· Consider choosing a seat that is upholsteredin fabric - it may be more comfortable for yourchild.Safety GatesBaby safety gates are an essential element inmaking your home baby proof. Now that he''son the move, every nook and cranny is apotential area of exploration for him. Your babyis curious about his new environment, wantingto investigate each little corner and new room.The best way to make sure he can''t do anyharm to himself is to install safety gates. Thesewill prevent him from reaching the stairs,kitchen, or an office room, where there mightbe many wires and electrical equipment just athis heightAccordion gates, which open to formdiamond-shaped patterns with wide V''s at thetop, can trap a baby''s head and have resultedin strangulation deaths. In January 1985, gatemanufacturers halted production of thesegates, but there are still an estimated 15million gates in use. Mesh gates also can bedangerous because a toddler''s fingers canbecome trapped.