September is Baby Safety Month. As a parent, your top priority is keeping your baby safe. Babies and young children grow and develop quickly and with each new stage of development safety standards can change.
Here are some key safety precautions for parents and caregivers.
Crib Safety
- Choose a firm mattress and always use a fitted sheet. Do NOT include soft objects like bumper pads, pillows or blankets in the crib.
- Place the crib away from windows that have blinds with strings or cords that the baby could grab. Keep decorations and wall hangings away from the crib to avoid items falling on the baby.
- Place baby on their back while sleeping, including naptime. Babies should sleep alone in their designated sleep space. Sharing a bed is not recommended due to increased suffocation risks.
To read more, click here to go to the American Academy of Pediatrics “Safe Sleep” page.
Car Seat Safety
- Use the proper car seat for the age and weight of your child and ensure that it is in the proper position in your vehicle.
- Read the manual that comes with your vehicle and car seat for proper installation.
- To ensure proper installation, you can schedule a free car seat safety check with a certified technician at a local police or fire department or a designated fitting station.
To learn more about what car seat fits your needs and/or to find a car seat inspector near you, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s page.
Baby Proof the Home
- Use sturdy baby gates to create safe zones for little ones by creating barriers in hazardous areas like stairs, kitchens and bathrooms.
- Install baby proof latches on doors and cupboard doors that contain items that could be dangerous such as cleaning supplies, medications or sharp objects.
- Use outlet covers to help prevent small children from inserting their fingers or other objects into outlets.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has more information on how to protect children in the bathroom or if your home has a pool. Click here to learn more.
Choosing Safe Toys
- Toys should be large enough—at least 1¼ inches (3 cm) in diameter and 2¼ inches (6 cm) in length—to prevent them from being swallowed or getting stuck in a child’s airway.
- To check if a toy is a safe size, use an empty toilet paper roll, which mimics the size of a young child’s windpipe. If the toy fits inside the tube, it’s too small for young children.
- Follow the manufacturer’s age recommendations. Some toys have small parts that can cause choking, so heed all warnings on a toy’s packaging.
For a list of toys recommended by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)for children from birth to age 6, go here.
Don’t forget to share these safety tips with all those that will be caring for your child inside or outside of your home.