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You've spent weeks decorating your newborn baby's nursery with books, toys, blankets and a new crib. But in your zest to create the best-looking room, there may be safety risks you are not aware of, experts say.

In the crib, it's better to use thin, simply designed crib bumpers instead of cushiony bumpers with ribbons. Also, remove the stuffed animals, pillows and comforters before you put your child to sleep. Suffocation can occur from an infant laying on a soft blanket or pillow, according to health experts. So it's best to keep only a thin blanket in the crib at bedtime.

"Keep it simple. That's really the golden rule for a child under 12 months."   "Don't get overwhelmed with the beauty of the baby's room as much as the safety."

Tips for a baby-safe home

Between 1980 and 1998, the death rates for children ages 1 to 4 declined by nearly half, according to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The leading cause of death in this age group is unintentional injuries. Although most accidental deaths resulted from car crashes, the CDC says that 50 babies suffocate or strangle each year when they become trapped between broken or unsafe crib parts.

Here is a checklist of suggestions  to minimize your baby's exposure to potentially hazardous items:

*  Use cribs that comply with standards set by the federal government and the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). Parents can look for the JPMA seal of approval on cribs and other products that comply with these safety standards. Crib slats or spindles should be spaced no more than 2-3/8 inches apart, and corner posts should not exceed 1/16 of an inch above the end panels. Be sure there are no missing, loose, broken or improperly installed screws, brackets or other hardware on the crib.

*  Avoid unintentional poisonings by keeping cleaning supplies, other household chemicals and medicines in locked cabinets and out of the reach of small children.

*  Maintain a smoke-free home. Babies whose parents smoke are more than twice as likely to be hospitalized for pneumonia in their first year than babies of non-smokers.

*  Watch for lead paint, which has been banned since the 1970s. If you own an old home, keep surfaces free of peeling or chipping paint. If you're planning renovations, consider testing the paint and having any lead-based material removed. Children with elevated levels of lead in their blood are at risk for language difficulties and attention and behavioral problems.

*  To prevent the growth of molds, remove moldy carpets and water-damaged floors and ceilings. One of the worst molds, a black, slimy growth called Stachybotrys atra, has been linked to lung bleeding and sudden death in young infants.

*  Be aware of what you can't see. Test your well water for nitrates, which can increase your infant's risk of developing a potentially life-threatening blood disorder. Install a carbon monoxide detector near sleeping areas, and have your fuel-burning appliances checked once a year for leaks. Test your basement for radon gas, and if the level exceeds federal limits (4 picocuries per liter), seal cracks in your foundation or make other repairs.

* Take precautions with art supplies used for hobbies and crafts that can contain lead, mercury or other toxic chemicals. Buy only products labeled "conforms to ASTM D4236" and bearing the seal of the Arts and Creative Materials Institute. Babies should avoid skin contact or inhalation of fumes from art materials such as paints, pastels, enamels, and solder and cleaning supplies like turpentine. Constant low-level exposure by children to these substances can contribute to allergies, asthma, nerve damage, lung damage or cancer.

*  Watch your use of insecticide and pesticides. Because these substances are poisons, they pose a risk for babies who touch or crawl on treated surfaces, such as floors, carpets or grass. Inside your house, try using bait stations instead of spraying to get rid of bugs. In the yard, try applying a liquid or powder weed killer where needed instead of widespread spraying.

For  more  information:  Please  consult  your  physician  on  your  next  visit.