It’s Baby Safety Awareness Month. If you are expecting a baby or have a toddler in your home, Bay Street Pediatrics encourages you to take a moment to review current safety guidelines around your home, in the crib, and in the car.
Babies and toddlers have not yet developed the intellectual and physical skills to keep themselves safe, so it’s important that parents and adults implement ways to keep them healthy and well.
HOME SAFETY
According to the CDC, in the United States, unintentional injuries account for the 4th most infant deaths each year. Because babies tend to spend most of their infant life in the home, baby-proofing your home is essential to minimize the risks to the child. Experts recommend you assess a few common dangers including water, fire, toxins, furniture, fall risks, and strangulation risks.
Drowning and Burning
Never leave the room or turn your head away for even a second when your child is in the bathtub. Keep your home free of pools, puddles, and other collections of water, or keep those areas gated and locked. Avoid using candles, keep children away from open flames, ovens and stoves, and use outlet covers to save curious kids from electrocution and electrical fires.
Poisoning
Most of the household cleaners and medicines in our cabinets are deadly when used inappropriately. Keeping medicines, cleaning supplies, and other chemicals away from children is essential to their safety. Experts recommend using layers of protection. Store chemicals on a high shelf that children can’t reach, not under the sink. Install cabinet locks on the cabinets holding chemicals. Use door knob covers and gates to keep children out of rooms where chemicals are stored.
Falls and Falling Objects
Door knob covers and gates can also keep children in safe areas, reducing their risk of falls. Gates should be installed at the tops and bottoms of staircases and are very useful for blocking off rooms that aren’t baby-proof. Furniture in baby-safe spaces should be free of sharp-edges; use furniture bumpers to minimize injuries in the event of a fall. While we’re making sure children don’t fall, we also want to keep them safe from objects falling on them. Anchor furniture to the walls with appropriate hardware and keep heavy and unsafe objects off of furniture.
Suffocation
The leading cause of unintentional injuries for children under the age of 4 is suffocation. Use cord-free window treatments and inspect your home for other thin dangling cords, cables, and strings, securely them tightly.
CRIB SAFETY
Make safe choices in the one space in your home the baby will send most of their time: the crib. The third leading cause of death for infants in the United States is Sudden Unexpected Infant Death Syndrome, which includes Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and accidental suffocations in a sleeping environment. While research is still uncertain of the exact causes of SIDS, studies show that a clean and clear sleeping environment reduces the risk of airway disruptions in sleeping infants. To create a safe environment, use a firm, tight fitting mattress with a tight fitted sheet in a crib with slats no more than 6 cm or 2-3/8” apart. Babies should sleep on their backs and the crib should be completely empty of blankets, bumper pads, stuffed animals, toys, books, or pillows.
CAR SAFETY
Now, let’s keep your baby safe in the car. Select the appropriate style car seat for your child’s weight and height and be sure it is installed correctly. If you are unsure about the installation of your child’s care seat, visit your fire station for a car seat check from a certified care seat technician. Infant car seats should be rear facing. In the event of an accident, replace the car seat, even if there is no visible damage.
Keeping your children safe all year round is just as important as keeping them safe this month. If you ever have questions about child safety, message your Bay Street Pediatrics provider. We will be happy to help!