7 Tips for Creating a Safe Nursery

You find out you're pregnant and one of the things you can't stop thinking about is the nursery. Maybe you imagine owls and other nature animals, or maybe you want pink and purple everything for a theme!" Whichever preference you have for the theme, it's important not to skimp out on other details. For a completely safe nursery, keep the following seven tips in mind (and they won't take away from your stylish goals.)

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1."Use a Safe Crib Mattress

Your baby is going to be spending the majority of his or her time in a crib. It's critical to make sure the crib you choose is in the safest and best condition. If you go with a secondhand crib, make sure it was manufactured after 2011. If at all possible, when you're trying to save money, it's best to get other secondhand items like dressers, clothing, rockers, and other baby gear so you can purchase a new crib. Along with making sure the crib doesn't have drop sides, make sure to follow the current safety standards. Some of the safety standards are:

• Only put your baby to sleep in a properly assembled crib that is JPMA certified.
• Check for recalls for purchasing and using
• Try to refrain from secondhand cribs but if that's the only option, make sure it meets the safety standards
• Always use a very firm mattress and tight-fitting sheets
• Avoid using any blankets, bumpers, or other items in the crib.
• Double check for broken, loose, or missing parts on the crib
• Make sure all hardware is properly installed and secured.
• Only use hardware that comes with the crib, don't substitute

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2. Use Only Non-Toxic Paint

When you are choosing paint for your nursery, go for a water-based product. Make sure there are no volatile organic compounds, known as VOCs. A low VOC paint has 50 grams of organic compounds per liter, whereas a zero VOC only has 5 grams per liter. Even with non-toxic paint, you should have someone else paint the room so you don't breathe anything in, as there is always a risk of birth defects from the paint.

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3. Window Treatments

Despite how cute a specific window treatment is that you feel you must have, you may have to skip it if the only place to position the crib is by the window. Your baby could easily pull in the drapery, leading to strangulation. Use cordless window treatments instead so there are no ropes, cords, or strings within reach. If you have enough room to position the crib across the room, you can put up all the cute window treatment you want.

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4. Large Furniture

It's easy to get carried with big fancy items in the nursery, but you may want to think twice before purchasing large furniture. For example, dressers and armoires should always be secured to the wall or have an anti-tipping device. Large floor lamps should also be removed from the nursery when your baby begins to crawl to prevent it from tipping.

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5. Outlets

Before baby even arrives, you will want to put plug protectors in each outlet, that way you don't forget by the time your little one starts his or her crawling journey. Be sure to also tuck any cords out of reach of your baby.

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6. Baby Monitor

Babies usually sleep in the parent's room until between six months to one year of age. However, whichever you choose, be sure to purchase a good quality baby monitor. Put it at least three feet away from the crib, especially if it has a cord attached."

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7. Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Even if you have a smoke and carbon monoxide detector in other rooms of your home, make sure you have one installed in the nursery before baby comes home. It wouldn't hurt to make sure you have one installed in other rooms of the home as well.

As a new parent, it's a given you're going to worry about everything - from germs, how much he or she is eating, checking to make sure baby is breathing at night, to make sure you have a safe environment to bring him or her home to. Following the above tips will allow you to create a safe nursery that will give you peace of mind.