Registry Guide - Arkansas Children’s...What you don’t need Why you don’t need it Head rests or other fabric inserts for car seat Your baby’s car seat was tested for safety

A guide for baby safety brought to you by

Registry Guide Updated July 2012

Creating a Baby Registry is a great way to let friends and family members know what you want and need for your little bundle of joy. There are some items that are must-haves when it comes to your baby’s safety. Likewise, there are some products that you don’t need because they can pose a safety hazard. Use this checklist to make sure your Registry includes items that will help keep your baby safe.

Around the House

What you need Why you need it What to look for ...& other tips

Smoke alarm(s) Smoke alarms protect the entire family by letting you know when there is smoke in the house.

You need one for each sleeping area and on each level of your home. Look for one with a long-lasting battery and a “hush” feature.

Carbon monoxide alarm(s)

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless gas. It is created when using fuel such as gasoline, propane, or natural gas. It causes illness by reducing the amount of oxygen present in a person’s body. Alarms let you know when CO levels are unsafe in your home.

You need one for each sleeping area and on each level of your home. Look for one that plugs in to an electrical outlet, to keep you from having to replace batteries.

Bath water thermometer

Babies have thin, sensitive skin. Hot foods and liquids can easily scald babies. Bath water is a common place for babies to suffer scalds.

Using a water thermometer is one way to test bath water. You should also set your hot water heater temperature to 120 degrees Fahrenheit or below. Consult an electrician if needed.

Cabinet latches Poisons commonly found in homes include: cleaning products, medications, and beauty products. Keep these items locked up so your baby can’t get to them. Also be sure to lock drawers containing sharp items.

Limit the number of cabinets and drawers where you store poisons and other dangerous items. This way, you will need fewer latches. Look at your cabinet and drawer handles before shopping – not all latches fit all types of handles.

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Safety gates If you have stairs, you will need 2 safety gates – one at the bottom of the stairs, to prevent your baby from going up, and one at the top of the stairs, to prevent your baby from falling down. A fall can be serious. You may also want a gate to keep your baby out of a certain room, such as a kitchen or bathroom where there may be many safety hazards.

There are 2 types of gates. “Pressure-mounted” gates are less expensive. These are held in place by pressure alone. They are safe for use at the bottom of stairs, or to keep a room off-limits. “Hardware-mounted” gates should be used at the top of stairs. These are securely attached to stair railing or walls using hardware. This keeps your baby from pushing the gate down.

Electrical outlet covers

Your baby will be curious and may put fingers, toys, or other objects into electrical outlets.

Look for the type that covers the entire outlet – as you pull out a plug, the cover slides into place. If you must use the plug-in caps and have a choice, select a larger size. Smaller ones can become choking hazards.

Door knob covers

Some rooms have many dangers. The bathroom, for instance, may have medications and beauty products (poisons), a toilet (drowning danger), and hot hair irons (could cause a burn). Sometimes, keeping your baby out of a room adds an extra layer of protection.

Buy what will work on your doors. Some are made for round doorknobs, others for “French” doors or levered door handles.

What you need Why you need it What to look for & other tips

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Around the House

Stove knob covers

As soon as your baby can stand up, he or she may try to use the knobs that control your oven and stovetop. Covers can keep your little one from turning on the stove.

Most come in packages of 4 or 5. Be sure to count your oven/stovetop knobs to make sure you get enough.

Window guards or stops

Falls from windows can be deadly, and babies and very young children don’t yet have a sense of danger. You need a way to keep your window from opening far enough for a little one to get out.

You need a guard or stop for each window above your first floor. Be sure to get guards or stops that allow you to get out easily in the case of fire.

Medicine dispenser or dropper with measurements

Give your children their medicines correctly. Be sure to follow all directions on the label. Ask a doctor or pharmacist for help, just to be sure you understand what to give, how much to give, how to give it, and how often to give it. Regular silverware is not an accurate way to measure.

Talk to your pharmacist. They can help you choose a medicine dispenser that is right for your baby.

First aid kit Babies and young children learn by exploring the things around them. Consider having a few supplies on hand to help with minor injuries. You might want one first aid kit for your home and one for your car.

You can find already made first aid kits, or you can make your own. Include tweezers, adhesive bandages in several sizes, antibiotic ointment, and a quick-reference guide on how to give CPR to infants and children and how to help a choking child.


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Around the House

What you don’t need Why you don’t need it

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Baby Walkers These do NOT help your baby learn to walk. They can tip over easily when your baby bumps into an obstacle, like a toy or rug. Falls down the stairs and off of porches are another concern. Consider a stationary activity center instead. These provide entertainment for your baby but do not have wheels.


Breastfeeding supplies

Breastfeeding is associated with a reduced risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Exclusive breastfeeding for at least 6 months is best, but any breastfeeding is better than none.

If you plan to breastfeed, you will need storage bags or bottles, and pads to prevent leaked milk from soiling undergarments and clothes. You may also need a breast pump.

Crib or other safe place

for your baby to sleep

Sharing a bed with your baby is not safe and is not recommended. Babies can suffocate from rolling into adults or pillows, or from adults rolling onto them. They can also fall from beds, which may result in serious injury. For these same reasons, babies should not sleep on chairs or couches. Babies need their own safe place to sleep.

New full-sized cribs will meet current safety standards. Many used cribs do not meet current safety standards. Visit www.cpsc.gov to learn more. If you buy a play yard, be sure it includes a label from the Juvenile Products Manufacturers’ Association.

Fitted sheets for crib or play yard

Flat sheets and blankets move around easily and can become a suffocation hazard. Fitted sheets designed for your baby’s sleep surface are best.

Look for fitted sheets in lightweight fabric. Only purchase sheets designed for the crib or play yard you are using.

Around the House

In the Nursery

Sleep sacks or fitted swaddling

blankets

These can be nice alternatives to blankets. Blankets may become “loose bedding” and end up on your baby’s face.

Look for lightweight fabrics. Many sleep sacks also have a swaddling attachment that can be removed once baby does not need to be swaddled.

Pacifiers The use of a pacifier during sleep may help protect your baby from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Breastfeeding mothers should delay pacifier use until breastfeeding is going well – usually around 3 to 4 weeks of age.

Offer your baby a pacifier at night and at naps. Do not force your baby to take the pacifier if he/she doesn’t want it. If the pacifier falls out once your baby is asleep, you do not need to put it back in. Do not hang the pacifier around your baby’s neck. Do not attach the pacifier to your baby’s clothing during sleep.

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Bumper pad for the crib

Bumpers don’t serve a protective purpose. If your baby’s crib meets current safety standards, the railing is close enough together to prevent a baby’s head from becoming trapped. Bumpers often pose a suffocation hazard. If your baby’s face is pressed against a bumper, he or she may not be able to breathe.

Sleep positioners Also called “sleep wedges,” these products can lead to suffocation. Your baby should be placed on his or her back to sleep, in a crib with no soft items.

Blankets for the crib

You may need a blanket outside on a cold day, but you should not use a blanket in your baby’s sleep environment. Blankets may end up on your baby’s face and prevent him/her from breathing.

Co-sleepers These products are placed in an adult bed or attached to an adult bed for infant sleep. They do not make bed-sharing safe. These products are not recommended.

In the Nursery

Rear-facing car seat

Your baby is safest rear-facing until the age of 2. When sitting rear-facing, in most crashes, the forces are spread out over a large area of the body. If forward-facing too soon, too much pressure is placed on the head and neck which may cause permanent damage.

There are two kinds of rear-facing seats. • Infant rear-facing only seat

(or infant carrier) – Pro: Has a handle for carrying baby in and out of the car easily. Con: Many styles only hold 20-22 pounds, so your baby may outgrow it quickly.

• Convertible seat (starts out rear-facing then converts to forward-facing) – Pro: Can usually be used until your baby is around 35 pounds, allowing for longer rear-facing. Con: this car seat cannot be used to carry the infant.


Head rests or other fabric inserts for car

seat

Your baby’s car seat was tested for safety. Adding material may affect how the seat protects your baby in a crash. You should only use a head rest or other attachment if it came with the seat or if it is manufactured by the same company that made your baby’s car seat.

Toys attached to child car seat,

vehicle shade with hard pieces, or

mirrors placed in back seat of car

In a crash, any hard objects in your car that are not secured can come loose. These loose objects can move throughout the car with a lot of force and can harm your baby.

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Rear-facing seat

Convertible seat

On the Go



1 Children’s Way, Slot 512-26Little Rock, AR 72202-3591

501-364-3400866-611-3445

[email protected]/injury_prevention

• None of these products replace the need for consistent adult supervision. Using these safety items along with supervision provides some layers of protection.

• Follow instructions on all baby products.

• Pay special attention to height and weight limits for each product.

• Use all safety features provided, such as straps.

• Only use each product for its intended use.

• If you purchase a new item and it includes a registration card, fill out the card and send it in. You will likely be notified if the product is found to be unsafe at a later time and “recalled” or taken off the market because of safety or other concerns.

• If you are getting secondhand (used) products for your baby, be sure to check for recalls. You can contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission at 1-800-638-2772 or www.cpsc.gov.

• Share these tips with grandparents and others who will help take care of your baby. You may need to purchase extra products to use in their homes and cars.

Interested in learning more about your family’s safety risks? Visit www.ach.advancedkiosks.com - you can take a quiz and get personalized safety tips for your family.

Other Tips

Documents

Registry Guide - Arkansas Children’s...What you don’t need Why you don’t need it Head rests or other fabric inserts for car seat Your baby’s car seat was tested for safety