Seemingly innocent items like the teddy bear in the toy box or a child's winter coat can actually be just as hazardous to your charges as unsecured cabinets or falling light fixtures. Cords on mini-blinds can cause a child to strangle or suffocate. Hard playground surfaces can cause head injures in a fall. Follow these recommendations from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to be certain your child care setting is as safe as possible every day.

• CRIBS: Make sure cribs are in good condition and meet current national safety standard (look for a certification safety seal). Avoid older cribs, which may not meet current standards. Make certain crib slats are no more than 2 3/8 inch apart and that mattresses fit snugly.
  
  
• SOFT BEDDING: Avoid using pillows, soft bedding or comforters when putting to sleep. Put babies down on their backs in a crib with a firm, flat mattress.
  
  
• PLAYGROUNDS: Look for safe surfacing on outdoor playgrounds: at least 12 inches chips, mulch, sand or pea gravel, or mats made of safety-tested rubber or rubberlike materials.
  
  Check playground surfacing and equipment regularly to make sure they are maintained in good condition.
  
  
• SAFETY GATES: Use safety gates to keep children away from potentially dangerous areas especially stairs.
  
  
• WINDOW BLIND AND CURTAIN CORDS: Be sure mini-blinds and venetian blinds do not have looped cords. Confirm that vertical blinds, continuous loop blinds and drapery cords have tension or tie-down devices to hold the cords tight.
  
  
• CLOTHING DRAWSTRINGS: Be sure there are no drawstrings around the hood and neck of children's clothing. Use other types of clothing fasteners, like snaps, zippers or hook and loop fasteners.
  
  
• RECALLED PRODUCTS: Check that you have no recalled toys or products. Keep a current list of recalled children's products readily visible.
  

For more information about general children's safety and recalls of children's toys and products, contact:

US Consumer Product Safety Commission
Washington, DC 20207
Toll-free hotline: 1-800-638-2772
http://www.cpsc.gov