Play It Safe, Baby
SEPTEMBER IS BABY SAFETY MONTH
Whether you’re a new parent or an experienced doting grandparent, here are just some of the key steps you can take to make your home a safer environment for infants and toddlers.
Play it safe, Baby
Car Seats
The most common problem with a child car seat is that it’s not properly installed. In fact, according the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and estimated 80 percent of all car seats are improperly installed. Be sure to use the right kind of seat for your child’s age, height and weight and read the car seat manual carefully. Your local fire department, police department or car dealership may offer free installation.
Strollers
Make sure the brakes work, and that they lock the wheel securely. Check that the seat belt is durable and working. A stroller with a wide wheel base and large or double wheels provides added stability so the stroller is less likely to tip over.
Preventing Accidents
Injuries at home are one of the most common reasons children are taken to the Emergency Room. In fact, unintentional injury is the leading cause of death in children 14 and under. Accidents occur in four major categories:
Water
Never leave a child unattended in a bath tub. Special care needs to be taken if you have a swimming pool, lake, pond or other water outside.
Fire
On the stove, use the back burners. Store matches in a safe place. Outdoor grills and fireplaces are other dangerous areas.
Poisons
Keep anything poisonous, such as cleaning products, out of the reach of children.
Falls
Stairs and slippery floors are the usual danger spots. Keep windows closed and furniture away from windows. Window screens can be pushed out even by a small baby.
Other Household Dangers
• Use childproof covers on electrical outlets
• Cords on window blinds can be a strangulation hazard. Keep all cords out of the reach of toddlers and young children.
• Make sure doors to the outside are locked when the child is inside. It only takes a minute or two for an unwatched child to wander outside.
• Running into a sliding glass door can lead to serious injury. Use a decal or some other marker so children can see the door.
• Install safety gates at the top and bottom of stairways.
How Everybody Can Play It Safe
Safety in the home shouldn’t just be a concern for babies and small children. Here are some simple steps every home can take to make everybody safer.
• Keep these numbers posted in a visible location:
– Poison Control Number
– Pediatrician’s Number
– Work and Cell Phone Numbers for Parents
– Nearest Relative and
Neighbors
• Install a smoke detector and a carbon monoxide alarm.
• Learn CPR and the Heimlich maneuver for infants and adults.
• Keep a well equipped first-aid kit in your home.
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