Safety Precautions
Keeping your home safe for children of all ages is an ongoing job, and there are many products on the market to help, from outlet covers to cabinet door locks, gates and padded bumpers for sharp corners.
Here are a few things to pay attention to in the early days:
Car seat installation. You know a baby should always be properly secured in a car seat while in a vehicle, but according to research from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 59 percent of car seats are not installed correctly. Safe Kids Worldwide offers tips and tools, including installation videos you can watch, to help you get it right.
Crib accessories. While cribs filled with toys and quilts may look beautiful on Instagram, they are hazardous for young babies due to smothering risks. Your crib should include a firm mattress with a fitted sheet, and that’s it. Sleepsacks can keep the baby comfortable on cool nights.
Crib location. The safest place for your baby to sleep is in the crib, not your bed. But where you place the crib matters, too. Don’t place it near windows with strings or cords that could cause strangulation or near other pieces of furniture a toddler could use to try and climb out of the crib or reach items they shouldn’t have.
Water temperatures. Many people don’t think about this, but a baby’s skin is much more sensitive than an adult’s. Set your water heater below 120° F to avoid scalds. In addition, never leave a child of any age unsupervised, even for a minute, in or around water.
Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. You should have working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors installed on every floor of your home and outside each bedroom, including the nursery. Remember to test them regularly and change the batteries at the start of each season.
Insurance Considerations
Having a baby on board comes with insurance considerations as well. Take some time to review your:
Check out these tips for the types of coverage to review, and if you have any questions or need to make changes to your policies, reach out today.