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Buying Guide: Safety Items for the Home

• Throughout the Home
• In the Bathroom
• In the Kitchen
• Safety Gates
• Monitors

As a new or expectant parent, keeping your baby safe is sure to be a top priority. You'll need to look at your home from a baby's perspective, quite literally! Bend down to your hands and knees, and you're sure to see many potential hazards for your little one. The best time to eliminate those dangers is before baby arrives. Installing safety devices before you actually need them will allow you to get used to using them properly. We've put together a list of items that can reduce the dangers baby may encounter at home. Keep in mind that the bathroom and kitchen are the most dangerous rooms in the home. Safety gates are a must if you have stairs in your home, or have rooms that simply cannot be made safe for baby. Monitors are also a necessity for most parents, as they allow you to keep tabs on baby without having to be in the same room. However, you should always remember that no safety device can take the place of adult supervision.

Throughout the Home

• Outlet plugs and covers
• Corner protectors and edge cushions
• Cabinet locks
• Smoke, fire, and carbon monoxide detectors
• Cord shorteners
• Safety Gates
• TV and DVD player guards
• Monitors

In the Bathroom

• Bathtub soft spout covers
• Toilet latch
• Non-skid mats
• Locking medicine cabinet or locks for the medicine cabinet

Experts suggest that young children should never be allowed in the bathroom unsupervised, so you may want to think about using a safety gate or door latch to keep your child out of this potentially dangerous area.

In the Kitchen

• Appliance locks/latches
• Stove and burner guards
• Stove knob covers

Safety Gates

There are four types of gates available. Each is designed to accommodate a different function and location, so you're sure to find one that's appropriate for your needs.

Pressure Mounted Gates

• Suitable for use at the bottom of stairs or between rooms
• Panels slide apart to fit the doorway or opening, a locking mechanism uses pressure to secure the gate in place
• Pressure mounted gates should never be used at the top of a stairway

Hardware Mounted Gates

• Must be used at the top of stairs; also ideal for window openings
• Mounted with screws directly into the wall for added strength

Walk-Through Gates

• Good choice for high-traffic areas
• One-hand release allows adult to swing the gate open in either direction

Free-Standing Gates

• Multiple panels fold to enclose a safe play space for your child
• Every other panel opens like a gate

Our Safety Gates buying guide has further information about safety gates, including additional features and safety tips.

Monitors
A monitor makes it possible to keep watch over your baby from another area of your home or yard. Consisting of a radio transmitter and receiver, these handy devices allow you stay aware of your baby's movements without having to remain in the nursery. A transmitter unit is placed in the nursery with baby, and the receiver unit stays with the parent. Some monitors include more than one receiver unit for convenient placement throughout the home. There are several different types of monitors to choose from that offer audio or video monitoring for your nursery.

Audio Monitors
Audio monitors transmit sound only, but most feature an LED display that lights up in sync with any transmitted sound. Audio monitors may feature multiple channels, which will help to minimize interference.

Video Monitors
Video monitors allow you to not only hear, but also see your baby. The transmitter unit functions as a camera and the receiver unit features a screen that displays baby's every movement. Some video monitors feature infrared technology, which allows you to see baby in total darkness.

Intercom Monitors
Intercom monitors function much like audio monitors, only they allow two-way communication between the transmitter and receiver units. Simply push a button, and baby will be able to hear your soothing voice.

Digital Monitors
Digital monitors offer the best sound quality and the utmost in privacy. They operate on multiple channels using an encoded signal that others cannot receive - even if they have the same monitor. A digital monitor can also eliminate interference from other transmitting devices.

900MHz/2.4GHz Monitors
These more powerful monitors have a much longer range than traditional monitors. They are ideal for families with a very large home or yard, and provide superior sound quality.

Our Monitors buying guide has further information about monitors; including the basics you should keep in mind as well as safety tips.

It's never too soon to start thinking about your baby's safety. Keep that in mind when you create your registry, and let your friends and family know what items you need to help keep your baby safe at home.

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