Facebook: what is a very private secure way to join and use it?

I've never had an account. But now I'm living in a new area with no family nearby, and as a first time mother with a baby with complex needs, and friends from all over I met at NICU mothers group... I'm thinking of finally joining. But I want a very low-key profile.

I mainly want to follow things/people/ groups I like, to get information, updates and hear about events etc. Not to comment a lot, stalk people from kindergarten when I'm bored, show off photos of my child, our dog, my daily toast to the world. Not trivial crap.

Has anyone got advice for setting up and maintaining a pretty private, secure profile? All advice & tips appreciated.