Keeping your child safe in hotels, vacation rentals, and other unfamiliar spaces. Pack a portable baby gate, outlet covers, and corner guards. Check the crib at your destination for safety compliance. Vacation rentals are rarely childproofed, so do a quick hazard hunt when you arrive.
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The process of making your home safer by removing or reducing hazards for babies and young children. It's not just about buying products. It's about getting down to your child's eye level and thinking about what they can reach, pull, climb, or stick their fingers in.
A safe crib meets current safety standards with slats spaced no more than 2 3/8 inches apart, a firm mattress that fits snugly with no gaps, and no drop sides. Keep the crib free of pillows, stuffed animals, and bumper pads. Check for recalls before using any secondhand crib.
Proper use of car seats is one of the most effective ways to protect kids in a crash. Infants start rear-facing and should stay that way as long as possible, ideally until age 2 or until they outgrow the seat's height and weight limits. Installation matters too: check for a snug fit with less than one inch of movement at the belt path.
The practice of getting down on your hands and knees to see your home from a baby's perspective. You'll spot hazards you miss from adult height: small objects under the couch, exposed outlets behind furniture, and dangling cords from blinds. Do one before your baby starts crawling and repeat every few months.