Baby Safety Products

1. Try as you might, you're not going to stop that youngster from grabbing, gnawing, and otherwise endangering him or herself. Though you can't exactly protect against all dangers (as that would amount to imprisonment), you should keep abreast of the latest in baby safety products.

2. Take, for example, the Crib Rail Teether from Prince Lionheart. This clever device is simply a plastic cover for crib rails, which babies often enjoy chewing. It protects them from ingesting harmful finishes and varnishes (though toxic finishes shouldn't be on new cribs to begin with), and also protects budding teeth and sensitive gums. In addition, any falls into the rails will be less harmful than without them.

3. The corner guards from Prince Lionheart will save you loads of grief and time, since you won't be chasing the baby away from potentially dangerous coffee table corners.

4. If you feel the need to protect children from all table edges, it's not a bad idea to get a Table Edge Guard kit from Prince Lionheart. These come in two colors and include four corner pieces. Simply cut to the desired length and stick where needed.

5. For soothing those late night fears of the dark and all the scary monsters that come with it, there is the fun and clever TykeLight GloMate from Mobi. This cool device is a child-safe, portable light that changes colors automatically. Much safer than a lava lamp and just as cool.

6. Sometimes your baby won't indicate whether he or she is comfortable, and for that reason you should at least know the precise room temperature. The Gro-egg room thermometer glows yellow when the room is between 61 and 67 degrees F and warns with red or blue colors when the room heats up or gets too cool. Research suggests that proper room temperature can reduce the risk of SIDS.

7. Shopping cart covers are another recent development in baby safety products. These are great because you'll likely have your child riding in the shopping cart well into the toddler years. These products cover the seat and handle of shopping carts to prevent the spread of germs. However, there are many out there, so be sure to buy the kind that fits the carts at your grocery store.