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Look for a cot that has
a “Juvenile Product Manufacturer's Association” sticker. This means the
cot has met the organisation's safety standards.
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Don't buy a cot with
splinters, cracks, or peeling paint.
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The slats on the cot
should be 2 3/8 inches apart or less so baby's head doesn't get trapped
between them.
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Make sure all screws,
bolts, and other hardware are securely installed to prevent the cot from
collapsing.
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Be sure the cot
mattress fits snugly.
You
should be able to slide just one finger between the mattress and the side
rails and headboard, so your child can't slip between the mattress and
cot.
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Do not use a cot that
has elevated corner posts or
decorative cut-outs in the headboard since a baby's head could become
trapped there, or loose clothing could become snagged and cause
strangulation.
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Do not place the cot or
changing table near a window.
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Make sure blind cords
are out of reach.
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Never put pillows, soft
bedding, electric blankets, heating pads, or stuffed animals in a cot.
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Install and use a
safety belt on changing table.
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Always use a safety
belt when your baby is sitting in a bouncy seat or swing.
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Place a rug under the
changing table and cot, which will offer some cushion in case of a fall.
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Place nightlights at
least three feet away from the cot, bedding, and draperies to prevent
fire.
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Don't hold your baby
while you're cooking.
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Put your baby down
while drinking hot coffee or tea – they will try to reach and grab.
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Place knob protectors
on stove knobs if they are on the front of the stove.
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Keep appliance cords
(coffee machines, kettles, toasters etc) wrapped short so children cannot
pull them over.
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Lock any potentially
dangerous substance in an upper-level cabinet. This includes alcoholic
beverages, household cleaning products, laundry, medications (including
non-prescription varieties like vitamins), paint, kerosene, gasoline,
charcoal, lighter fluid, insect sprays etc.
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Put the waste bins in a
locked cabinet, or use one with a child-resistant lid.
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Lower the cot mattress
as far as it will go during the later stages.
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Remove cot bumpers as
babies can use them to climb out! Same for large toys in the cot.
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Install a teething rail
on any wooden cot rails when baby learns to pull up – to protect baby’s
new teeth and the cot!
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When baby reaches 89cm,
it is time to consider a bed.
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Keep climbable
furniture away from windows.
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Shorten drapery and
blind cords.
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Remove the plastic end
caps on doorstops, or replace the stops with a one-piece design.
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Drill breathing holes
into any trunk you are using as a toy box in case a child gets trapped
inside. (And install safety hinges on toy boxes, or buy one with a
removable lid to prevent pinched fingers.)
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Place houseplants out
of children's reach - older babies will try to eat them!
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Cover every electrical
outlet in your home with a child-resistant outlet cover.
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Place screened barriers
around fireplaces, radiators, and portable space heaters.
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Keep ashtrays out of
reach – better still ban them or place outside.
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Install safety gates at
the top and bottom of stairways with two or more steps.
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Check that the gap
between upright posts on stair or balcony railings is less then 10cm. If
gap is too large, install a clear plastic or mesh barrier across
the railing.
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Pad the edges of coffee
tables and brick or tile fireplaces.
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Remove any tablecloths
that hang over the side of the table.
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Position audio/video
equipment so children cannot pull televisions or stereos off furniture.
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Secure bookshelves,
entertainment centres etc to walls since they can topple onto children who
use furniture to pull up and stand.
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Make sure rugs have
non-skid backings and don’t place them at top of stairs.
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Keep candles out of
reach.
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Do not use space
heaters.
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Check your smoke
detectors each week.