July 22, 2008

Health Tip: Keep Baby Safe in the Crib

(HealthDay News) -- Your baby's sleep environment should be carefully arranged to prevent injury.

The National Safety Council offers these crib safety recommendations:

• Throw your older crib away if it has slats that are too far apart, lead paint or decorative cutouts that could harm your baby. The slats shouldn't be more than 2 3/8 inches apart.
• Choose a mattress that fits snugly inside the crib, with no gaps around the edges. Replace any mattress when you can insert two adult fingers between the mattress and the crib.
• Bumper pads should cover the whole inside perimeter of the crib and tie or snap in place. They should be removed as soon as the child is able to assume a standing position.
• Don't use pillows, large stuffed animals and other items that may pose a threat for suffocation.
• Never place a crib near a window, as blinds and cords can pose strangulation hazards. Also window screens won't prevent the child from falling through them.
• Stop using the crib once the height of the rails is less than three-quarters of the child's height.
• Make sure there is a working smoke detector near your child's crib.

-- Diana Kohnle

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