Setting up the Nursery

Plan ahead when setting up your nursery. Babies spend a lot of their time in cots and prams, on change tables and in high chairs - so it is no wonder that 20 percent of injuries to children in their first years involve nursery furniture and equipment.

Setting up a safe nursery is very important. Before investing in your baby's nursery furniture take the time to research current standards and guidelines to enable you to make informed choices about safer product design.

Current research supports that a nursery should only have the essential items.

For further information about nursery safety issues visit the following websites:
NSW Office of Fair Trading
SIDS (Sudden Infants Death Syndrome)

The information below will also help to get you started.

Cot

Consider a cot that has the Australian / New Zealand standard
(AS/NZS 2172) as a safer option. Check under NURSERY COTS for further information on safer product design for COTS with an Australian Standard.

Mattress

A well fitting, clean and firm mattress. All new cots should come with a mattress when purchased.

Linen

Follow the SIDS recommendations when investing in linen and making your baby's cot.

Bumpers & Toys

Bumpers and toys placed in your babies cot adds to the presentation but these items have been identified as products that can reduce the air flow to a small baby which can be a contributing factor related to the cause of SIDS.

Pillows

Babies do not require a pillow until they are old enough to be moved to a big bed.

Curtains, Blinds or Venetians

Select curtains, blinds or venetians for your babies nursery that have no cords, beads or possible entanglement attachments.

Windows

Place your baby's cot away from any windows or items that are within a baby's reach ie: mobiles, shelves

Heaters

Ensure you only use heaters to warm your baby's room and remove the heater when you put your baby to bed.

Change Tables

Change tables are not designed to catch your child if they fall over the side. A baby on a change table MUST be supervised at all times. The LOWER to the GROUND for your baby the SAFER. It is a safer option for the adult to get down to the child's height.

Safe Storage

Ensure your have storage areas that are easily accessible to adults but away from your baby's reach. You might want to consider how you could also lock your storage areas for when your baby becomes mobile.

Toy Box

If you decide on a toy box for your baby, consider the following list as a guide to safer product design:

• Light weight
• Non attachable lid
• Air holes
• Place the toy box away from your baby's cot, as past research has shown that babies have been injured when they have managed to climb out of their cot and have fallen onto the toy box.