One of the best things when you’re pregnant is designing the nursery and deciding on the theme. Expectant moms spend hours looking online and visiting baby stores to get ideas on how they want the nursery to look. Unfortunately, what they often overlook is the safety considerations when setting up the nursery. Usually, baby shower registries are filled with beautiful layettes, sweaters and blankets for the baby but rarely are there baby proofing items to go along with it.

Here are a few safety considerations to keep in mind when setting up your nursery and some “must-have” items to put on your registry:

A safe crib is top priority

In 2011, drop side cribs were banned in the United States due to entrapment and suffocation issues. In fact, it’s illegal to resell a crib with drop sides, even if it's at a yard sale or a garage sale. Be sure you purchase a new crib which is still the safest place for a baby to sleep but be sure that you are purchasing a new crib with stationary sides.

Ditch the comforters and bumpers

While it might look sparse, it’s vital that there be nothing in the crib except a firm mattress with a tight fitting sheet. This is extremely important in reducing the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. 

Change electrical outlets

In order to help prevent toddlers for suffering an electrical shock, switch out old outlets with tamper resistant outlets that are designed with a spring-loaded shutter mechanism inside the outlet that helps block ac­cess to the slots unless a two-prong plug is inserted.

Consider the placement of furniture

Be sure that chairs, changing tables and other furniture are not placed underneath windows to prevent a child from climbing up and falling out of the window. Keep all window blind cords and monitor cords away from the crib as they could pose a strangulation hazard if your baby reaches for them. A great solution is a cordless monitoring system.

Secure all furniture to the wall

The rate of “topple over” accidents has increased by 46% over the past several years. All furniture, including changing tables and book shelves, should be secured to the wall using either furniture straps or corner braces. Lamp cords should be fastened to the side of the table.