Transcript of video:
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Overwhelmed by all the choices and advice from friends and relatives about your new baby?
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What to do?
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What to buy?
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Here is some advice for new parents from the U-S Consumer Product Safety Commission
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about nursery product safety.
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Good news!
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baby products are a lot safer today than when your parents were making these same decisions.
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Now, here are 10 important safety tips you need to know when shopping for baby products
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and preparing your home for a new baby.
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Number one: Start with a crib that meets CPSC safety standards-the strongest crib standards
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in the world.
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New cribs don't have dangerous drop sides.
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They're sturdier and are required to be tested before they reach your nursery.
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Check the manufacture date on any crib to make sure it's manufactured after June, 2011.
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That's when the new safety standards became mandatory.
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Number two: If space or cost is a concern, or if you're traveling,
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you could use a play yard as a portable sleeping space.
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More good news!
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CPSC strengthened the standard for play yards made after February, 2013.
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Like your crib, check the play yard for a label that includes the manufacture date.
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And use only the mattress sold with the play yard.
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Don't put extra pads or pillows under the baby..
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This can create a gap where baby can become trapped and suffocate.
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CPSC, worked to make play yards a safe alternative to cribs-and now they are.
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Number three: For your baby's sleep environment, we say "bare is best."
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Everything comes out of the crib except for the baby and a fitted sheet.
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Never add pillows, quilts, or comforters in any crib, bassinet or play yard.
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Instead, quilts and comforters can be used as wall hangings.
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Just be sure to keep them out of your baby's sleep space.
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Number four: Always place your baby on his or her back as recommended by the America Academy
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of Pediatrics, in a crib, bassinet or play yard that meets current standards.
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Again, Never place the baby on top of pillows or additional padding in the sleep space.
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Proper placement of the crib can prevent a life-or-death situation.
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This next tip is key with newborns and children during their first year
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who can reach and pull themselves up.
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Number five: Never place a crib near a window.
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A child can grab a window blind cord, or worse, become entangled.
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You should know that a child dies every two weeks
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from window cords wrapped around their neck.
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Now that you have created a safer sleep space for your baby, here's what you need to remember
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when shopping for other baby products and preparing your home for a new baby.
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Number six: Beware of cords.
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We mentioned keeping the crib away from windows for a couple of reasons.
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Use cordless blinds as a safer alternative.
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They are now available in stores near you.
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And be aware of baby monitor cords.
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Did you know that a baby can grab the monitor cord, get tangled in it and strangle?
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So keep baby monitors and cords at least 3 feet away from the crib.
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Number seven: High chairs are convenient for feeding time, but always use the safety straps.
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And pay attention making sure the permanent restraint is between your baby's legs.
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These restraints prevent children from slipping and strangling on the high chair tray.
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Number eight: You probably know that when toddlers start to crawl or walk,
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your home has to be retrofitted for their safety.
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This includes anchoring televisions and furniture.
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Unanchored furniture and televisions can topple over onto children who climb or explore.
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There are inexpensive ways to anchor the furniture.
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It only takes a few minutes to do and can save your child's life.
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Number nine: Strollers make it much easier for you to get out and about with your baby.
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But, you need to be aware of two safety features, similar to high chairs.
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One, safety straps keep your baby in place.
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Without them, small babies can roll into the soft sides of the stroller and suffocate.
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The two, make sure the permanent restraint is in place.
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Otherwise a child can slip down between the seat and tray or crossbar and strangle.
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And tip number ten?
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Connect to CPSC to learn more about safer products for your baby.
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You can connect to CPSC in three ways:
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On C-P-S-C.gov you'll find information about product safety recalls.
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You can even sign up to have new recalls of children's products sent directly to you.
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On SaferProducts.gov you can search for safety incident reports
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or report your own product safety incidents.
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you can also connect with CPSC on social media.
