Broken parts. Check all baby equipment frequently for broken parts or malfunctioning hardware. Stop using anything, particularly a crib, if it has broken or missing parts.

Crib. A crib is the safest place for your baby to nap or sleep. Place the crib well away from wall hangings, toys, windows, window blinds, curtains, and other furniture so that an adventurous baby can't reach anything dangerous. But once your child attempts to climb out of the crib, for her own safety, consider using a bed with child railings or putting the mattress on the floor.

Crib bedding. Be sure that the crib mattress is firm, that there are no gaps between the mattress and the sides of the crib, and that the mattress cover and sheets fit snugly. Soft bedding--pillows, padded bumpers, quilts, and comforters--is a suffocation hazard for infants, so keep those items out of the crib. Instead, dress your baby warmly enough for comfort. If you use a lightweight blanket, it should be pulled up no farther than a baby's waist and tucked securely under the sides and bottom of the mattress.

Floor and carpet. Position furniture and toys so you'll have a clear path when you enter the room at night. Any area rug or throw rug should have a nonskid backing or, better yet, be secured with double-faced tape, so no edges stick up.

Furniture. Avoid high chests or tables. Bolt bookcases and chests to the wall so they won't tip if a child climbs on them. Furniture straps secure a piece of furniture to the wall to prevent it from tipping or toppling over when a child grabs on to balance himself or tries to climb. Toppling furniture can cause broken bones, bruising, and even death. If installed properly, furniture straps are effective protection up to about age 4 or 5.

Paint and other fumes. Allow time for fumes from new paint, wallpaper, drapes, and carpeting to subside before your baby comes home. Paint the nursery at least a week before the baby's arrival. When possible, use a paint that is low in volatile organic compounds, which may be irritating to a baby (and to some adults). To reduce fumes, air out new furniture and anything made of plastic or particleboard.

Toy chests. Don't store toys in wooden chests with lids that can slam or automatically latch shut when closed, and hurt a child or cause suffocation. Chests designed specifically for holding toys have hinges or lid supports that will hold the lid open in any position to prevent such accidents. Open shelves or crates are safer and make it easier to find toys. Or look for a chest without a lid, or one that has ventilation holes that won't be blocked if the chest is placed against the wall, so a child can breathe if she gets trapped inside, or one that leaves a space between the lid and the sides of the chest to allow ventilation when closed.

Soft toys and mobiles. Keep soft toys out of the crib. They're a suffocation hazard for young babies and can be used as stepping stools for climbing out. If you buy a crib mobile, hang it out of your baby's reach. A mobile should be taken down when your baby can push up on her hands and knees, at about 6 months.