Prior to or just after the child is born, parents are urged to consider enrolling in CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and other lifesaving courses. Parents who gain these skills may someday save their child’s life if the baby starts choking or suffocating. Parents should also keep a first aid kit handy.

After parents bring their newborn home from the hospital, the child will spend a lot of time in the nursery. Cribs are responsible for more infant deaths than any other nursery feature, which underscores the importance of selecting a new or used crib that has the proper safety features. If parents decide to buy a used crib, they are urged to be extra vigilant, because many older cribs (even those less than 10 years old) do not have the same safety features as modern cribs. In addition, cribs made before 1978 may have a lead-based finish that can present hazards of lead poisoning for the baby.

In selecting a crib, slats should be no more than 2 and 3/8 inches (6 centimeters) apart to prevent babies from falling outside the crib or getting their heads trapped between the slats. Side rails that lower should have at least two locking devices, and these rails should always remain at least 9 inches (23 centimeters) above the mattress support when lowered and 26 inches (66 centimeters) above the mattress support when raised. To prevent accidental strangulation, corner posts should be flush with the top of the headboard and footboard, or much taller – at least 16 inches (41 centimeters).

Parents are also urged to get the firmest mattress possible, because soft mattresses have been implicated in sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Mattresses should fit snugly in the crib to prevent the child from slipping between the mattress and the crib sides.

Cribs should be checked regularly to make sure screws are tight. Soft bedding and toys should not be placed in the crib, as they are suffocation hazards. Once babies begin to pull themselves up, crib gyms, mobiles and bumpers should be removed. Never place a crib near a window, because a baby can become entangled in window blind cords or fall out the window.

Changing tables present other potential risks to a baby. Children who are not properly secured on these tables may fall off and get hurt. There are three major varieties of changing tables – wooden tables with guardrails, fold-up models and hinged chest adapters. Experts have warned against using the last of these, because they are at risk of falling over if a baby gets too close to the outer edge.

Fold-up models should be tested for sturdiness by giving them a good shake while they are open, and guardrail models should have rails that are at least 2 inches (5 centimeters) high. Babies frequently squirm on changing tables. A safety belt should be used to secure the baby to the table during every changing. Never turn away from a baby on a changing table.

New babies are often placed in both playpens and strollers. Parents are urged to select playpens that are at least 20 inches (51 centimeters) high when measured from the floor. Playpens with mesh sides should have holes that are no bigger than 0.25 inches (0.6 centimeters). Children should never be left in playpens unattended, and should not be allowed to use the playpen after they grow big enough that they can easily climb out of it.

Parents shopping for strollers are urged to look for a type that has reliable restraining belts, such as the “T” buckle that has a crotch strap and waist belts that connect. In addition, the stroller should not have any parts that can pinch a baby’s fingers or pose a choking hazard. Leg openings should be small enough that there is no risk of the baby falling through.

Purchasing the right equipment is a key to child safety. However, some of the dangers that surround babies are a result of the child’s behavior. Parents are urged to anticipate these behaviors and take steps to lower the risk of harm they can pose.

For example, by the time babies are between 3 months and 5 months old, they begin to wave their fists and grab at things. This significantly raises the danger that a child might accidentally become burned. Parents are urged not to carry their baby and hot foods or liquids at the same time. Also, it is advisable to reduce the maximum temperature on a hot water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit (48.9 degrees Celsius), which can reduce the risk of accidentally scalding the baby with hot tap water. Baby bottles should not be warmed in a microwave oven, which can result in uneven heating of milk.