Set up a Google alert for your child’s name. You can get a daily digest. You won’t see everything but might get advance warning of any problems. Adults should do this as well, by the way.

In our careful watch to ensure our baby slept on his back to avoid SIDS, our newborn son started to develop a flat head. While only a cosmetic concern, our pediatrician recommended we put him on his side while sleeping to mitigate the potential problem. The challenge was, our active son actually rolled over by himself at 1 week, so was not likely to stay on his side. We found the Symmetry Sleep Positioner useful to keep him on his side (and rotated sides). In the months before he was able to really move on his own, we place him in the SSP within his crib, and he slept comfortably. The device stopped being useful once he could roll himself off of it, but by then he was moving enough that the...

This is a very simple lock for home safety, especially for things that need just a little extra security, such as the liquor cabinet or the medicine chest. It obviously won’t stop a determined thief, but can not be opened without obvious signs of tampering, making it good for kid- or nanny-proofing small doors or even a suitcase or a bag temporarily. The MSRP is $9.95, but only sold at the present time for $19.95 at Shop4Kids.com. Dream Baby has other inexpensive security devices that make baby-proofing an easier chore.

There has been a lot of talk about sick houses — houses that actually make you sick because of construction materials, cleaners, paints, solvents and pesticides. It might be hard to change houses, but there are things you can do to to make a house less toxic for you and your kids. 1. Get an air purifier and put new allergy rated filters on your furnace every 6 months. Whole house air filter systems work better than portable units. Ideally, use built-in or window unit air-to-air-heat exchangers in rooms where people spend the most time. 2. Get lots of plants. Experts recommend at least two tropical houseplants for every 12×12 foot area to clean up airborne toxins. Use ferns, spider...