The Baby Cot Shop's Luxury Nursery Safety Guide


Our Expert Guide on Creating a Safe and Beautiful Nursery


At The Baby Cot Shop, we believe that safety and beauty are not in opposition. They are inseparable. Every product we design, curate, and recommend is held to the highest standards of craftsmanship and child safety. This guide brings together the essential knowledge you need to create a nursery that nurtures, inspires, and, above all, protects.

 

 

1. SAFE SLEEP — COTS & COT BEDS

Our luxury cots and convertible cot beds are designed to provide a secure sleeping environment from birth through toddlerhood. All our cots comply with BS EN 716 and carry both UKCA and CE marks, confirming conformity with UK and European safety standards. Mattresses are sized and specified to comply with EN 16890.


Guidelines:

  • In cot mode: suitable from birth up to approximately 89 cm in height, or until your baby can climb out — whichever comes first.
  • In toddler bed mode: suitable up to 5 years or 22 kg, whichever comes first.
  • Always use the recommended mattress size. A correctly fitting mattress leaves no gap greater than 25 mm at any side.
  • Keep the sleeping surface clear — fitted sheet only. No pillows, rolled blankets, or soft toys during sleep.
  • Position the cot away from windows, radiators, and direct sunlight. Cold draughts from windows can affect your baby's temperature; heat from radiators poses an overheating risk.
  • Never position the cot beneath artwork, shelving, or wall-hung decorations that could fall or be reached.

 

Note: Full assembly and safety documentation is included with every cot and cot bed.

 

 

2. WICKER CRIBS & CRADLES

Our handmade wicker cribs are crafted by skilled artisan makers and conform to BS EN 1130:2019 — the safety standard for cribs and cradles. Wicker cribs are intended for newborns and young infants. As with all sleeping products, placement and setup are as important as the product itself.


Guidelines:

  • Suitable from birth up to 9 kg body weight, or until your baby can sit up unaided — whichever comes first.
  • Always use a firm, flat mattress that fits snugly within the basket. Do not use pillows or additional padding.
  • Ensure all four castors are locked before placing your baby inside. Re-engage brakes every time.
  • Position away from windows, radiators, blind cords, and climbable furniture.
  • Inspect the wicker regularly for any protruding splinters and smooth as required. Natural materials require a little more care than manufactured ones — this is part of their character and longevity.

 

Note: A full compliance label and assembly instructions are supplied with every wicker crib.

 

 

3. COT BUMPERS

Our cot bumpers are designed as decorative pieces for the dressed nursery, crafted in the same bespoke fabrics and finishes as the rest of your nursery scheme. A beautifully dressed cot is one of the great pleasures of nursery design. Each bumper is exquisitely finished- whether piped, pleated or frilled- and coordinated to complement your interior. They are decorative accessories, not sleep safety products.

Please note: Cot bumpers are not suitable for newborns.


Guidelines:

  • Bumpers are decorative pieces for the styled nursery. We recommend removing them when your baby is sleeping.
  • When in place, ensure all ties are fastened securely and checked regularly.
  • Never use bumpers that are padded so heavily as to obstruct airflow through the cot slats.

 

Please note: Cot bumpers are not suitable for newborns. In line with current safe sleep guidance, the sleeping cot should contain only a well-fitting mattress and a fitted sheet.

 

 

4. CANOPIES

A canopy transforms a cot into something truly extraordinary. Like our bumpers, canopies are decorative pieces that contribute to the beauty and atmosphere of the nursery. Our canopies are crafted from lightweight, breathable fabrics and are designed to drape elegantly above the cot. They are not structural sleep products and should be treated accordingly.


Guidelines:

  • Canopies should be fixed securely to the ceiling or a dedicated canopy holder — never draped loosely over the cot frame.
  • Ensure the canopy fabric cannot fall into the cot or come within reach of your baby.
  • Once your baby begins to pull up to standing or reach upwards, the canopy should be removed or repositioned well out of reach.
  • Do not allow fabric to hang near your baby's face during sleep.
  • Inspect fixings regularly to ensure they remain secure.

 

 

5. ARTWORK & WALL DECOR

Nursery walls tell a story. How and where you hang things matters as much as what you choose. Wall-hung artwork, mirrors, shelving, and decorative pieces add personality and warmth to a nursery. However, placement relative to the cot requires careful thought.


Guidelines:

  • Never hang artwork, mirrors, shelves, or decorative objects directly above the cot or within your baby's reach.
  • As your child grows and becomes more mobile, reassess the placement of anything at standing or climbing height.
  • Use appropriate fixings for the wall type. Heavy pieces should always be fixed into studs or with appropriate anchors — not simply into plasterboard.
  • Lightweight decorative pieces — mobiles, fabric hangings — should be positioned well above the cot and removed once your baby can reach upwards.

 

 

6. DECORATIVE OBJECTS & ACCESSORIES

From hand-crafted hot air balloons to heirloom keepsakes, decorative accessories bring a nursery to life. A little thought about placement keeps everything safe.

 

Guidelines:

  • Display decorative objects on shelving or surfaces that are entirely out of your baby's reach — both now and as they grow.
  • Objects with small parts, cords, or delicate components should never be placed within a child's reach.
  • Regularly review the nursery layout as your baby develops. What is safely out of reach for a newborn may not be for a curious toddler.
  • Hanging decorative objects — including mobile-style pieces — should be suspended well above the cot and removed before sleep.

 

 

7. CHANGING UNITS & CHESTS OF DRAWERS

Our changing units and dressers are crafted to be both beautiful and robust. Wall anchoring is essential. All our changing units comply with BS EN 12221. However, compliance with a standard does not remove the need for proper installation.


Guidelines:

  • We strongly recommend anchoring all changing units and chests of drawers to the wall. This is the single most effective way to prevent tip-over accidents.
  • Wall anchoring is the responsibility of the customer or their installer. We are happy to advise on suitable fixings.
  • Never allow children to climb, hang, or pull on open drawers.
  • Place on a level surface, away from windows, blind cords, and climbable furniture.
  • Never leave a baby unattended on a changing unit, even for a moment.

 

 

8. WARDROBES & LARGER FURNITURE

All tall furniture should be anchored to the wall. Our wardrobes are heavy and beautifully built; that weight must be managed properly.

 

Guidelines:

  • Ensure the wardrobe is fully assembled before anchoring to the wall.
  • Use fixings appropriate to your wall construction. If in doubt, consult a professional installer.
  • Keep wardrobe doors closed when not in use once your child is mobile.
  • Do not store heavy items on top of wardrobes or tall furniture.

 

 

9. WINDOW TREATMENTS & BLIND CORD SAFETY

Cord strangulation is one of the most serious and preventable hazards in a child's room. We take this without exception. All blinds sold or installed by The Baby Cot Shop are BBSA-compliant and supplied with appropriate cord safety devices. We do not fit blinds with accessible free-hanging cords in nursery environments.


Guidelines:

  • Roman blinds, roller blinds, and curtains in a nursery must never have accessible cords.
  • Ensure cords are cleated high on the wall, out of reach, or use cordless and motorised options — which we recommend for all nursery installations.
  • Never position the cot, dresser, or any climbable furniture near a window or beneath a blind.
  • Regularly check that cord safety devices remain in place and functional.

 

 

10. OUR COMMITMENT TO PRODUCT SAFETY

Every product sold by The Baby Cot Shop is:

  • Manufactured to applicable British and European safety standards.
  • Accompanied by full assembly instructions and compliance documentation.
  • Made using non-toxic, baby-safe materials and finishes.
  • Designed with longevity and safety in mind — not just at the point of purchase, but throughout your child's early years.


We are equally committed to keeping you informed. Our team is available in our Chelsea boutique and at Harrods to answer any product safety questions in person. For bespoke nursery design, our complimentary design consultation service takes safety considerations into account at every stage of the process.

 

 

NURSERY SAFETY — FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 

1. Are cot bumpers safe to use?

Our bumpers are decorative pieces, designed for the dressed nursery rather than as sleep products. We recommend removing them when your baby is sleeping. When styled in place, ensure all ties are securely fastened and inspect them regularly.

 

2. Can I hang a canopy above my baby's cot?

Yes, with care. Canopies must be fixed securely so that no fabric can fall into the cot or come within your baby's reach. Once your baby begins pulling up to stand, the canopy should be removed or repositioned well out of reach.

 

3. Where should I position artwork in the nursery?

Nothing should be hung directly above the cot or within your baby's reach. As your child grows more mobile, reassess all wall-hung pieces at standing and climbing height.

 

4. Do I need to anchor furniture to the wall?

Yes, for all changing units, chests of drawers, and wardrobes. Tip-over accidents involving unsecured furniture are a significant cause of injury in young children. Anchoring is straightforward and we are happy to advise on the right fixings for your wall type.

 

5. Where should the cot be positioned in the room?

Away from windows, radiators, and direct sunlight. Cold draughts from windows can chill your baby; heat sources pose an overheating risk. Keep the cot clear of blind cords, hanging objects, and climbable furniture.

 

6. What makes your furniture safe?

All our furniture is manufactured to applicable British and European standards, uses non-toxic finishes, and is supplied with full safety and assembly documentation. Our wicker crib conforms to BS EN 1130:2019; our cots comply with BS EN 716; our changing units comply with BS EN 12221.

 

7. Can I get personalised safety and design advice?

Yes. Our design consultation service is complimentary and covers both aesthetic and safety considerations for your specific space. Visit us at our Chelsea boutique or at our Harrods concession, or contact us to arrange a consultation.