You've spent months preparing for your new baby's arrival. Your house is now filled with all kinds of baby gear. You probably looked for items that met safety standards while shopping. But what about the rest of the house?

Start with a safe place to sleep
Are there hidden safety risks in your baby's nursery? Crib bumpers, widely spaced crib slats, mobiles, even blankets and soft toys have the potential to cause harm. Here's what you need to know:

• Crib basics: Cribs certified by the Juvenile Product Manufacturers Association (JPMA) have slats that are no more than 2-3/8 inches apart. Widely spaced slats can trap an infant's head. Also avoid cutout panels on crib ends. Drop sides should have a locking latch that does not release accidentally. The mattress should be firm and fit the crib frame without gaps.
• Bedding and decorations: Remove stuffed toys, pillows and comforters from the crib - they pose a suffocation risk. Babies can also strangle in ribbons, cords and ties. Remove mobiles when baby is able to push up. Wearable sleep sacks are a good alternative to blankets.
• Sleep position: Always put baby to sleep on his or her back. Do not place baby on a water bed, sofa, soft mattress, pillow or other soft surface.

Make other areas child-friendly
Start babyproofing before your baby starts to crawl. Even a baby who can only roll may get into trouble if harmful objects are within reach.

• Check window blind cords. If they have a loop, which can strangle, cut the loop in two.
• Be careful where you leave small objects. Items that fit into a toilet paper tube are a choking hazard.
• Set up safety gates. Install these at both the tops and bottoms of stairs. Or use them to keep baby out of or contained in certain rooms.
• Install window guards on upper windows. They should be sturdy enough to prevent falls but easy for an adult to remove in case of fire.
• Prevent scalds. Set your water heater to 120 degrees F or lower. Check the water before you put baby in the tub.
• Install pool fences and alarms. These should never be relied on as babysitters, but they can help avoid tragedy.
• Lock up all medicines and household chemicals. Accidental poisoning can be fatal.
• Use safety caps on outlets. Make sure they don't come loose easily.

And keep your home healthy
Just as important as keeping your home safe is keeping it healthy. Here's how:

• Don't smoke at home. Babies whose parents smoke are more than twice as likely to be hospitalized for pneumonia in their first year than babies of nonsmokers.
• Check for lead in paint and water. Elevated blood levels of lead can cause neurological problems. If your home is old, keep an eye out for chipped or peeling paint. Have a professional remove lead-tainted materials. Lead can lurk in water, too, so you may want to test that also.
• Be aware of unseen risks. Check well water for nitrates. They can cause a life-threatening blood disorder in infants. Install smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors near sleeping areas and have fuel-burning appliances checked yearly for leaks. Have your basement tested for radon gas, too.
• Take precautions when using chemicals. Use insecticides and pesticides sparingly. Only treat areas where babies and children will not have access. Even art supplies used for hobbies and crafts can contain toxins that may cause harm when ingested, inhaled or when skin comes in contact with them.

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External Sources U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Safety tips. Accessed May 28, 2008. American Academy of Pediatrics. TIPP: Infant furniture: cribs. Accessed May 28, 2008. Home Safety Council. Child safety checklist. Accessed May 28, 2008.