KANSAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & ENVIRONMENT BILL GRAVES, GOVERNOR Gary R. Mitchell, Secretary

September 2, 1997

Contact: Jan Stegelman

(785) 296-1223

Give Your Baby A Healthy And Safe Start

As many expectant parents anticipate bringing home their newborn, thoughts of nursery decorations, baby furniture and crib toys are often at the tops of their minds. However, parents need to know that the home can be filled with many hidden hazards for their newborn. Each year, nearly 2,700 children ages 14 and under die, and nearly 4.5 million are injured from unintentional injury in the home. More than 70 percent of the deaths occur among children ages 4 and under making it important for parents to keep safety in mind when preparing the nursery for their baby.

"In wanting to provide an entertaining, attractive and loving nursery, parents sometimes forget to take safety into consideration," says Jan Stegelman, Kansas SAFE KIDS Coalition Coordinator. "Parents should be careful in the selection of furniture and decorations, including their arrangement and use."

In observance of Baby Safety Month in September, the Kansas SAFE KIDS Coalition offers the following suggestions to help give your baby a healthy and safe start:

Walls

If you live in a house or apartment built before 1978, a lead abatement professional should check any painted walls for lead. Your child can get lead poisoning if he or she breathes lead dust or fumes or swallows anything with lead in it. Lead poisoning in children can cause learning disabilities, hyperactivity and other neurological problems. Approximately 3 million children ages 5 and under have blood lead levels high enough to affect intelligence and development.

If there is lead paint in your home, the paint should be completely removed by a lead abatement professional or covered with an approved sealant. Make sure no children or pets are present in the house during the lead paint removal process. Once the lead paint is removed, the walls can either be repainted with latex, plastic-based or enamel paint, or covered with water-resistant wallpaper.

Floors

Smooth, washable floors are recommended in nurseries because they are easier to keep clean. If you choose to have wall-to-wall carpeting, select a flat design in a synthetic fiber, such as nylon. Thick, bushy carpets -- such as shag -- can hide dirt, food and small objects that a child can put in his or her mouth and choke on. If you use area rugs, be sure they have non-skid backings.

The Crib

The most important piece of furniture in any nursery is the crib. It is the place where your baby will spend most of his or her time and, most likely, the first piece of furniture you will buy.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), approximately 50 infants die each year from crib-related incidents. To help prevent your child from being injured in the crib, the Kansas SAFE KIDS Coalition recommends the following:

Purchase a crib that has been certified to meet national safety standards. If you borrow or buy a used crib, be sure that it meets these same standards.

Choose a crib with no more than 2 3/8 inches of space between the slats or the spindles. Be sure there are no missing or loose slats or spindles -- the baby's head and body can become caught, presenting a strangulation-and-fall hazard.

Test the drop side latches to assure the baby cannot open them. Be sure they work properly and are safe from unintentional release.

Always keep the side rail locked in its top position when the baby is in the crib.

Use bumper pads, to keep the child from hitting against the side of the crib. The pads should be made of either vinyl or cloth. Secure the pads with snaps or at least six straps tied securely on the outside of the crib, away from the baby. Trim the excess straps so that they are not a strangulation or choking hazard. As soon as your baby can stand or pull themselves up, remove bumper pads, toys and other objects they could use to climb out of the crib.

Do not use a crib that has any corner post extensions or protrusions greater than 1/16 inch, including decorative knobs. Infants might catch their clothing and strangle.

Never use a pillow in the crib.

Do not place cribs near radiators, heating vents, windows, Venetian blind strings, drapery cords or other hanging strings.

Make sure no plastic bags or other plastic materials are in, or around the crib that might cover the child's nose and mouth and cause suffocation.

The Mattress

Mattresses must fit snugly against all four sides of the crib. If you can fit more than two fingers between the edge of the mattress and the crib, then the mattress is too small. A baby can suffocate if his or her head is trapped between the mattress and crib. Check regularly to ensure that all four mattress support hangers are securely held in hooks attached to the corner posts.

Before placing the mattress in the crib, remove and discard all plastic wrappings. Make sure that your child is unable to climb out of the crib when the mattress is in it. The mattress should be at least 26 inches below the top rails of the drop side. If the mattress is any higher than this, an active baby might be able to climb over the rail.

Dressers, Chests, and Changing Tables

Whatever type of furniture you plan to purchase or borrow for your nursery, keep the following in mind:

Do not use any furniture with sharp edges.

Use a changing table with safety straps to secure your baby. The straps, however, are not a substitute for adult supervision. Never leave your child unattended on a changing table, even for a second.

Avoid turning your back on your baby to reach for supplies. Keep all of the baby's powder, diapers and toiletries within your reach, but out of the baby's reach. Keep one hand on your child at all times.

Consider using large plastic bins or open bookshelves for storage. These pieces of furniture are often safer than chests or dressers with large or heavy drawers without safety latches. Be sure to bolt bookshelves and heavy furniture to walls to avoid tip-overs.

Crib Toys and Mobiles

Bright and cheerful crib toys and mobiles can provide hours of entertainment for a newborn. However, it is important to keep in mind that some of these items -- including crib gyms that stretch across the crib and suspended toys, music boxes and mirrors specifically marketed for use in the crib -- can be very dangerous. Hanging toys are particularly hazardous for children who can push up on their hands or knees. By using the following tips, you can provide your child with lots of fun and keep him or her safe at the same time:

Avoid strings on any product for your baby, including pacifiers and rattles.

Beware of toys and mobiles with small detachable parts that can be easily removed and swallowed.

Remove all toys from the crib when your child is asleep.

Take out all toys and other objects that he or she could use to climb out of the crib, as soon as your baby can pull to a standing position.

Remove mobiles as soon as your child can push up on his or her hands and knees.

Childproof the Room

It is important that you examine the room closely -- get down on your hands and knees and move around the room. From this angle, you may see several unsafe things that you might have otherwise overlooked. The Kansas SAFE KIDS Coalition recommends the following prevention tips:

Pick small objects off the floor and place out of baby's reach.

Use safety covers for all electrical outlets.

Remove all furniture with sharp edges. If you cannot remove the furniture, attach foam padding or corner guards to the edges to round and soften them.

Install window guards on all windows that are not designated fire escape routes -- especially if you live in a high-rise apartment building.

Install window and cabinet locks.

Keep electrical wires, lamps, and lighting fixtures out of reach.

The nursery is the beginning of your child's journey through life. With careful thought and planning, you can help reduce your newborn's risk of injury.

The Kansas SAFE KIDS Coalition, Inc. is a nonprofit group of 60 statewide organizations and businesses that have joined to protect Kansas children from unintentional injury -- the leading killer of Kansas kids. Local coalitions and chapters are located in Wichita, Lawrence, Salina, Barber County, Topeka, Ford County, Manhattan, Pottawotomie County, and Clay County. Kansas SAFE KIDS is part of the National SAFE KIDS Campaign.