For many moms-to-be, decorating the nursery and buying all of the adorable clothes is an exciting time. Just as important, but rarely considered however, is planning for your unborn child’s safety.

While many things are out of our control as parents, there are precautionary measures we can take to potentially save our baby’s life from accidents and illness.

Bank The Blood

Many parents might not know that brain injury is the most frequent cause of disability and death among children in the United States. More than one million children sustain brain injuries every year. Research is showing that stem cells from a baby’s cord blood may play an important role in inducing healing with nerve and brain cells. That's why banking baby's cord blood is the first step parents can take in safeguarding their child's well being.

Back To Basics

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the leading cause of death for infants one month to one year of age. And while SIDS is unpreventable and unpredictable, there are risk reduction measures that have contributed to a 50% reduction in the rate of SIDS over the past decade. As you’re designing your nursery and crib keep in mind that comforters, blankets and even bumper guards are dangerous. A crib should only have a tight fitting sheet and, rather than using a blanket, dress your child in a sleep sack or wearable blanket. Also, remind anyone who will be watching your newborn that she should only be placed on her back to sleep. The one thing that is good to have in the crib is an infant movement monitor. If for any reason the baby completely stops moving for more than 20 seconds an alarm will go off and alert the parents.

It’s All About The Seat

Motor vehicle accidents account for a large majority of deaths for babies. According to the National Highway Safety Transportation, child seats reduce the likelihood of an infant (under 1 year old) being killed in a vehicle crash by 71 percent and toddlers (1-4 years old) by 54 percent. Having the right car seat and insuring that it is installed properly is critical. Before heading home from the hospital with your newborn, have you car seat installed and checked by a certified Child Passenger Safety inspector.

Beware of Water!

As we’re getting into the warmer months drowning becomes top of mind. In fact it’s the second leading cause of accidental death for children 1 – 14 years of age. It’s crucial if you have a pool or spa -- or any body of water -- to have a pool fence with a self closing, self locking gate completely surrounding it. Over 85% of children’s drowning accidents occurred while they were under adult supervision. It’s too easy for there to be a miscommunication as to who is watching the children. Give yourself a visual reminder such as a wrist band as to who is in charge. It is critical that parents-to-be and all caregivers become certified in CPR and First Aid before the baby is born.

Stop The Fall

Before your know it, your infant will be able to roll and quickly thereafter crawl. Falls are another leading cause of accidents in the home for babies. And an ounce of prevention goes a long way to keeping your baby safe. Gates that are properly secured into the walls should be installed at the top of every staircase even before your baby comes home from the hospital. They should be easy to manage with one-handed operation and never swing out towards the stairs. Install window guards on any window above the first floor that is unusually low to the floor and be sure to position the crib and any other furniture away from the window.

Be Alarmed

As you’re doing your spring cleaning, don’t forget about changing the batteries in your smoke detectors. Children, especially those ages 5 and under, are at the greatest risk from home fire-related death and injury, with a fire death rate more than twice the national average. Smoke alarms are extremely effective at preventing fire-related death and injury. The chances of dying in a residential fire are cut in half when a smoke alarm is present. Consider purchasing a talking smoke alarm which has proven to be more effective in rousing sleeping children during a fire. Sit down and create a family plan so that, in the event of an emergency, you and your partner know who is in charge of getting the kids out and designating a safe meeting place away from the home.

Alison Rhodes is the Safety Mom and founder of TheSafetyMom.com. Her company was born out of tragedy after the death of her first son to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Since then she has become a tireless advocate for children’s health and safety. Alison is a national speaker on a variety of child safety topics from environmental toxins to drown prevention and online predators.

Copyright: The Safety Mom, 2008