September is National Baby Safety Month, but it’s always the right time to brush up on tips to keep your little one as safe as possible. Don’t know where to start? We’ve got you covered.
1. FOR A HEALTHIER HOME
Look for furniture that has been labeled with a GREENGUARD Gold Certified seal. This seal certifies that the furniture has been independently tested and verified to meet rigorous standards for chemical emissions and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as formaldehyde or phthalates.
2. FOR CAREFREE CAR RIDES
Make sure your car seat is installed correctly. Position your child to be rear-facing in the backseat until at least 2 years old or until they reach the height or weight limit of the car seat. The safest location for the car seat is the middle of the back seat.
3. FOR BUBBLY, BLISSFUL BATHTIME
Never leave your baby unsupervised even for a moment. Be sure to get everything ready in advance for bath time, and to avoid the risk of scalding, don’t let your hot water heater exceed 120°F, and keep the bathwater at around 100°F.
4. FOR SMART SECONDHAND SHOPPING
While we don’t recommend reusing cribs due to the risk of expired warranty or safety certifications, there are other ways to shop sustainably. Trusted re-commerce companies like FloorFound, a DaVinci partner, inspect and help resell our unused and returned products at reduced prices, helping to reduce waste.
MORE SECONDHAND SHOPPING SAFETY TIPS
5. FOR THE SWEETEST SLUMBER
If you decorate your crib, remember to remove everything except the mattress sheet before your baby sleeps, and place your baby on their back to ease their airflow and help prevent SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). Use extra-firm crib mattresses for infants and soft ones for toddlers. Firm mattresses provide crucial support and resistance for babies as their bones and muscles develop. Consider dual-sided crib mattresses for an all-in-one solution!