CRIB
• U.S. Consumer Products Safety Standards must be met. You may see a JPMA (Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association) certification on some cribs. A JPMA certification is not mandatory.
• Do not use a crib that has corner posts more than 1/16" high.
Tall posts should be out of the reach of a child and slats should be spaced no more than 23/8" apart.
• Crib hardware (such as screws, bolts and fittings) must be secured correctly and tightly into place toprevent the crib from collapsing.
• Mattress must fit snugly into the crib, and pillows are not recommended for use in a crib. According to the American Academy
of Pediatrics, if the spacebetween the crib and mattress can fit two adult fingers, then it is not safe.
• Crib gyms, bumpers, mobiles and all hanging cords must be removed from crib, once baby is able to push up on hands and starts to roll (usually by 4 to 6 months).
• Cutout designs in headboard or footboard are not recommended - due to potential entrapment and strangulation hazards.
• Crib placement is vital in determining the child's safety. Avoid placing the crib near lamps, dangling cords or ribbons, windows, fans, heaters or climbable furniture.
• Portable/non-full-size cribs should not be used on a permanent basis, as they are not designed to withstand the wear and tear that regular full-size cribs can endure.
• Not all secondhand cribs are risk-free. Be especially careful and evaluate against all thesafety features mentioned above.

CRIB MATTRESS (for infants under 12 months)
• Never use the mattress's plastic shipping bag or any other plastic, to waterproof or cover the mattress. Children can suffocate on the plastic.
• Leave less than an adult two-finger, width space between the mattress and the crib to prevent the child's body or face from getting trappedin the gap.
• Firmer is better! Sleeping on soft surfaces puts babies at greater risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

BEDDING
• Place baby on his/her back on a firm, tight-fitting mattress. Use only cribs that meet current safety standards.
• Do not place baby to sleep on an adult bed,
waterbed, sofa, soft mattress, pillow or other soft surface. Plus, don't put pillows, quilts, comforters sheepskins, pillow-like don't put pillows, quilts, comforters sheepskins, pillow-like stuffed toys and other pillowlike products in the crib.

CAR SEAT
• Be sure to purchase a car seat that is appropriate for your child's height, weight and age. Follow manufacturer's instructions for installation. If you have questions, call the manufacturer (most
provide a helpline number to call).
• Never install a car seat in a front-passenger seat that has an active air bag, and remember that all children 12 and under are safer in the backseat.
• The base of your car seat should rest firmly on the seat, and the vehicle's seatbelt system or LATCH system must be able to secure it tightly. If it moves more than an inch side to side, then it's too loose.
• If your vehicle's seatbelt is not able to lock your child's car seat securely in place, you may need to use a locking clip (which may be packaged with the seat or can be purchased separately).
• To make sure you have installed your car seat correctly, attend a car seat safety check. Many local fire departments, police stations, healthcare facilities, even Babies''R''Us stores, periodically hold these events - where a certified technician can examine your car seat installation.
• Send in the manufacturer's registration card. If your car seat is recalled, you will be notified by the manufacturer.
• Avoid used car seats. Older car seats may not conform to present safety standards. And since cracks and damages are not always visible, you may not know if it has been involved in a crash.
• Avoid using car seats involved in a crash. Involvement in collisions may limit their effectiveness. Parents should contact the car seat manufacturer to inquire whether the seat needs to be replaced, and then discuss it with their insurance company (policies often cover replacement).

Avoid these mistakes when installing your car seat:
Not securing your vehicle's seatbelt or LATCH system tightly. The car seat should not be able to move more than an inch side to side. Check your car seat each time you use it. If you can't securely installthe car seat, contact a certified child passenger
safety technician.
Switching to a forward-facing car seat too soon. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies ride rear-facing for as long as possible within the rear-facing limit of their seat, or until they reach at least one year of age and 20 lbs. When your child exceeds the infant car seat's height or weight limit, switch to a convertible car seat. This will allow your child to continue to ride rear-facing up to a higher height and weight limit, before having to switch to forward-facing. Using harness straps incorrectly. Be sure that the car seat's straps are threaded through the proper slots.

FEEDING
• Never warm formula in the microwave because it may heat unevenly and parts could scald baby.
• Do not let baby fall asleep with a bottle, as bedtime bottles may lead to tooth decay from formula, breastmilk or juice pooling in the mouth.
• Do not prop the bottle when feeding baby as it may cause choking. Always hold baby in a semi-upright position and angle the bottle accordingly.
• Do not pour overheated liquids into plastic liners orbottles.

HIGH CHAIR
• Use the restraint system every time.
• Make sure all safety straps attach securely and never depend on the tray to restrain baby.
• Check the locking mechanism to avoid accidental folding, while in use.
• Keep high chairs away from tables, counters and walls. Place all breakable bowls, plates and glasses out of a child's reach. Never let a child stand in a high chair.

BATH TIME
• Before you begin bathing your child, have all supplies in front of you and within arm's reach, and always keep at least one hand on your baby.
• Do not leave baby unattended for a second. If you need to leave the bathroom, take baby along.
• Empty bath water immediately after use. A baby can drown in as little as an inch of water.
• Baby bath seats and baby bathtubs are not substitutes for supervision. They are only bathing aids, not safety devices. Strictly follow all warnings and manufacturer's instructions.
• Never use a bath seat on textured or non-skid surfaces, unless the manufacturer's instructions specifically state the seat is intended for such surfaces.
• ''Tubside'' seats are not suitable for sunken or nonstandard-size tubs. If the bath seat moves or is unstable while your child is in it, stop using it.
• Remember to set the maximum temperature on your hot water heater to no more than 120°F.
• Never run the water with baby in the bathtub. Fill the tub, then test the water temperature with your elbow or thermometer (before putting baby in the tub). Temperature should be between 90°and 100°F.

RATTLE
• Never leave baby unsupervised with any toy.
• Always check rattles for loose or broken parts.
Avoid rattles small enough to fit into baby's mouth or ones with sharp edges.
• Remove rattles and teethers from the crib, when baby falls asleep.

TEETHER
• Always make sure the teether does not have small parts that could get lodged in a baby's throat.
• Read label to ensure that the teether is made of a non-toxic material, and is safe for your baby to chew on.
• Always wash the teether at the end of play, or if it falls on the ground.

PACIFIER
• Always choose a pacifier that resembles the nipple of a breast or bottle.
• Do not offer a pacifier to a nursing baby before a nursing pattern is established. Allow your baby to get comfortable with suckling first to avoid confusion that may delay nursing success. Always check the pacifier for tears and cracks.
• Never put a pacifier on a ribbon or string to tie around baby's neck or attach to his clothing, stroller or crib.
• Offer a pacifier at nap and nighttime. Recent studies suggest, letting baby fall asleep with a pacifier in his or her mouth may decrease the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) in the first year.

TOY
• Consider the safety of all toys: no strings; no small pieces or parts; lead-free; quality design; and no chipped, peeling or broken parts.
• Always supervise baby when she's playing with toys. Make sure battery compartment seals tightly, and the cover can't be removed by baby.
• Make sure to choose toys without small parts toprevent choking, reference age appropriateness on packaging, and make sure toys can withstandchewing.''
• Do not choose toys with strings more than 7" long, and do not leave stuffed toys in crib with baby unattended.