The ABC’s of Baby Safety

September is Baby Safety Month, which makes it the perfect time to take a first – or second – look around your home to check for safety concerns. Whether you’re expecting your first baby or you’re a “veteran” parent of five, every child is different and with each arrival a new inspection of your home should be conducted. Consider this – approximately 45 percent of unintentional injury deaths in children occur in and around the home. Unintentional home injury deaths to children are caused primarily by fire and burns, suffocation, drowning, firearms, falls, choking, and poisoning (Source: National Safety Council).

Many of these accidents can be prevented. By following the “ABC’s of Baby Proofing,” you can help make your home safer for all your children.

Awareness is the most critical element. Babies begin rolling over, crawling, and walking when you least expect it. While your child might not be able to roll off the changing table today, by tomorrow she could.

Barriers are necessary to ensure your baby’s safety. Whether it’s installing gates on stairs or locks on cabinets, it’s important that safeguards be put in place.

Controlling your children’s environment will allow them the freedom to explore, while at the same time protecting them from hazards.

The following are our Top 10 Safety Tips to help make your home safer for your family:

• Never leave your child unattended in a bathtub. Keep a cordless phone with you in the bathroom or let the answering machine pick up any calls. Children can drown in less than 2" of water.
• Babies can begin pulling themselves up on furniture prior to walking. Be sure to have all heavy furniture, including the changing table, secured to the wall so it cannot fall down on them.
• All medicines and toxic substances should be kept in cabinets with properly installed locks. Be aware that cosmetics and toiletries can also be toxic and should be locked away. This includes hairsprays, gels, mouthwash, and makeup.
• Never hold your baby in your arms when cooking. Hot oils and boiling water can splash onto her. Be sure to use the back burners when cooking and turn handles away from the front of the stove. Properly installed stove knob covers and stove guards are helpful, preventative products.
• Be mindful of your furniture’s placement. Objects on which a child can climb, such as beds, cribs, chairs, chests, and desks, should not be placed near windows as your toddler could fall out or become strangled by the window blind cord.
• Check your baby’s clothing regularly for loose buttons, snaps, etc., which can become choking hazards. Never use strings to attach a pacifier to your baby’s crib or clothes.
• Never place a halogen floor lamp where it could come in contact with draperies, clothing or other combustible materials. Such lamps should be removed entirely from children’s bedrooms. Children may play with lamps or place combustibles, such as stuffed toys or clothing, too close to the bulb which could start a fire.
• Always place your baby on her back to sleep and be sure not to overbundle her to help reduce the risk SIDS. Instead of using a blanket in the crib, consider a wearable blanket or “Sleep Sack.” Remove all loose bedding and stuffed animals from the crib.
• Have a car seat inspection done by a member of the police department, your local children’s hospital, or a certified car seat installer. Your child should always be in the back seat, and infants under one year and less than 20 pounds should always face the rear.