Safety for Baby Monitors
Baby monitors can often be on the shortlist of nursery items’must haves’, so it can be hard to decide which monitor you should buy.
How do I pick the right baby monitor?
There are many options for monitors at different price points. Your monitor should serve your entire family regardless of its cost or features.
You should decide which features of a baby monitor appeal most to you. You may be looking for only audio options or a monitor that can allow you to see your baby. You may prefer a monitor that mounts to the wall or one that can go on a shelf. Whatever monitor you choose, ensure that your baby monitor is away from your toddler’s reach. Monitors should be kept at least three feet away from children.
What kinds of baby monitors do you have today?
- Audio monitors: Monitors can capture the sounds, coos and movements of your child or baby.
- Movement Monitors: Monitors are placed underneath the mattress of an infant. The monitor detects the toddler or baby’s movements and patterns of breathing. The alarm sounds to warn parents if there is no movement after a specified time.
- WiFi-Enabled Monitors : Monitors connect via the internet. This allows you to monitor your baby/child from multiple locations.
- Wearable Monitoring: Monitors can be worn by baby and child to track movement, breathing rate, oxygen saturation levels, temperature, and other parameters. Wearable monitors may even offer sleep analytics that can provide parents with insight into baby’s sleep patterns.
What if my friend is no longer growing?
Safety standards are met by new products. If it is necessary to use older products make sure they comply with current safety standards, are labeled and in good condition, and that there have been no recalls.
Parents are looking for ways to save money on baby gear. Although this is an option if you have a tight budget, it is important to not compromise safety in exchange for price. Do not purchase used items if you are unsure about its safety or if there is any missing hardware, labels, instructions or other information. It is safer for you and your baby to buy new, unopened products.
These guidelines can help prevent strangulation.
- You should immediately inspect the location of all electric cords on monitors and other products, even if they are mounted on the wall. This will ensure that your child is safe.
- You should place cords at least 3 feet from any part of the crib or bassinet. As your baby grows, it is important to keep cords at least three feet from any part of the crib, bassinet, play yard or other safe sleeping environment.
- Never place a monitor within or around a crib.
- Keep your monitor at least three to four feet away.
Remember that a baby monitor cannot replace parental supervision. Your baby monitor should be used to keep an eye on your baby.
Baby Monitors
Baby monitors are best kept three feet away from the ground. Parents should be aware of this safety message.
A baby monitor allows you to hear and see your child. But, baby monitor cords can strangle toddlers and infants.
Follow these guidelines to prevent strangulation and create a safe environment for baby.
- You should immediately inspect the location of all electric cords in monitors and other products, including those mounted on walls, to ensure cords are safe from your child.
- You should place cords at least 3 feet away from any part or the crib, bassinet, or play yard. As your baby grows, it is important to keep cords at least three feet from any part of the crib, bassinet, play yard or other safe sleeping environment.
- Never place a monitor within or around a crib.
- Keep your monitor at least three to four feet away.
Where should your Video Baby Monitor be placed in The Room?
The basic idea is to find a space in your baby’s room where the camera can be placed no more than 6 feet (6 meters) away from your child. However, it should still be close enough to allow you to have a clear view. You must ensure that the microphone can pick up sounds from your child.
Safety hazards can also be avoided by paying attention to the power cables on the camera units. Attach the cord to your wall or tuck it into the camera unit to ensure that your child isn’t able to touch it. Avoid strangulation by keeping the power cord out of reach.
Based on our experience, these are the best places to place a baby-monitoring device:
We prefer to mount it in a corner of the ceiling. It provides a good view of your baby’s bedroom, and it is not too high to reach. Attach the power cable to the wall, but be sure to do so.
This is best for baby monitors with remote tilt, pan and zoom features. It may also be necessary to install the latest generation of smart monitors that track baby through the night (such the Nanit Pro or the CuboAI).
High up on a shelf. If wall mounting is not an option for your baby’s bedroom or nursery, a tall shelf/baby wardrobe will work. If the shelf is not tall enough to provide a good viewing angle, you can add an additional box underneath. This works best if the monitor doesn’t have remote pan, tilt, and zoom. The camera can be moved around as needed.
How to fix or attach a baby monitor on your wall
We found that most baby monitors tested included the required wall mounting elements. Please see our reviews for details. Manufacturers will specify in the manual which screws are used if your monitor does not include wall-mounting screws.
To wall-mount your baby monitor, there are five steps:
- You can test the viewing angle and sound by asking someone to hold the baby-monitoring device where you wish to mount it.
- Place the screws. Most baby monitors include a sheet with the locations of the holes you will need to drill.
- Make sure to drill the required holes in your wall. It is best to do this in a corner that is close to your ceiling.
- Attach the baby monitor base to a wall by using the base provided by the manufacturer.
- Attach the baby monitor to its base.
